The Jamaica Automobile Association (JAA) has improved the quality of its roadside assistance service with the provision of on-scene, specialised response technicians certified in light-duty towing and recovery.

The association recently completed the training of eight response technicians in the discipline at its Central Avenue office in St Andrew which is close to the Motor Vehicle Examination depot. They were certified last month by the American Automobile Association (AAA).

"We are now the only roadside assistance entity that has response technicians certified to offer this service," said Emile Spence, Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) executive in charge of the The JAA. JAA is a subsidiary company of the JNBS and a member of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile.

"It puts us in a position to be better able to meet the needs of our members and to ensure even greater protection of their property."

Specialised technicians

Duane Ellis, JAA operations manager, who is also a certified trainer and specialist in the area, says these specialised technicians will help guarantee that tow-truck operators uphold best practices when carrying out their duties. The JAA provides light-duty towing services to its members through contracted tow-truck operators island-wide.

"With our new expertise we will be able to identify when contractors are using the incorrect techniques and we can guide them so that only the safest practices are employed when towing vehicles," he stated.