Jason Williams 
Overview
A broken down car on the side of the road is an all too familiar sight in Jamaica. Driving on the roads can be a delightful experience if you have the right tools. Vehicles, despite being modern marvels, are known to give trouble now and then. Whether it be a flat tyre or a dead battery, having the right tool at your disposal can prevent a lot of pain and suffering. By the end of this article, you will be well equipped to deal with a majority of the problems you may encounter. I will also include some ‘nice to have’ tools that should make the overall driving experience easier.
Tyre Pump
A portable tyre pump is one of those underrated tools that every driver should keep in their vehicle. It’s convenient if you’d rather not go through the oddly common ritual of handing over your ID just to use the air pump at some gas stations (yes, that really happens). With your own pump, you’re free to top up your tyres anytime, anywhere — no waiting in line or driving around in search of a working machine.
Most portable tyre pumps are designed to plug right into your car’s cigarette lighter (12V socket), making them easy to use on the go. Many models even come with digital pressure gauges for added accuracy. Underinflated tyres are one of the most frequent issues faced by drivers – affecting fuel efficiency, handling, and safety. Having a portable pump isn’t just convenient, it’s a smart move for peace of mind on the road.
Be careful not to overinflate your tyres as this may lead to higher risks of blowouts, reduced traction, handling, etc. Many believe that 30 PSI is safe for most Sedans. You can find your recommended PSI by talking to the dealer or referencing your car manual.
DashCam
According to data from the Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI), Jamaica recorded 315 road collisions in 2024, reflecting ongoing concerns about road safety and accountability. In this context, dash cams have become an increasingly essential tool for motorists across the island.
These devices serve as impartial witnesses, capturing real-time footage that can be invaluable in the event of a collision. Far too often, drivers involved in accidents deny responsibility, complicating the process of filing insurance claims or providing accurate accounts to law enforcement. A dash cam helps eliminate ambiguity by providing clear evidence of what occurred, protecting responsible drivers from false accusations and ensuring a fairer claims process.
As road incidents continue to occur frequently, equipping your vehicle with a dash cam is not just a precaution — it’s a smart investment in protecting your rights and supporting road safety efforts nationwide.
It’s best to have a dashcam showing front and rear views. This will allow you to have video evidence regardless of whether the person crashed into the front or back of your vehicle. I recommend getting the RedTiger F9 Dash Cam 4K Front and Rear 1080P. The setup is easy and can be done within 30 minutes. Once complete, you just plug it in and forget it. The camera will automatically record once the car is on. You can access dashcam footage by using the Red Tiger app.
Nowadays, people submit dashcam footage to JeffReels and Robot Taxi Twitter pages. We even see dashcam footage appearing on QuesTimes Instagram. Seeing this chaos online helps to give you an idea of what is happening on our roads.
Waze
Waze is a valuable navigation tool that provides real-time updates to enhance driver awareness and safety on the road. The app alerts users to a wide range of road conditions, including traffic congestion, accidents, hazards, vehicles parked on the shoulder, and even potholes — all reported by fellow drivers in real time.
By offering this level of situational awareness, Waze empowers motorists to make informed decisions about their routes, avoid delays, and anticipate potential dangers ahead. For Jamaican roads – where unexpected hazards are common – having Waze running during your commute can make a significant difference in both travel time and safety.
Whether you’re navigating busy urban areas or unfamiliar rural roads, Waze is more than just a GPS — it’s a community-driven companion that every driver should consider essential.
Some roads in Jamaica are notorious for having strictly potholes. I once joked that if you were to label potholes on certain Jamaican roads, you would have to place a market every minute! Some motorists prefer Google Maps over Waze, due to Google Maps being more accurate for standard directions, however, the community based aspect of Waze delivers more overall value.
You can download Waze from the Google Play Store or the iOS App Store.
Phone Mount
There was a major uproar about 2 years ago regarding phone mounts and the ‘use of electronic devices while driving’. Some motorists claimed that officers were ticketing them even though the phone was securely mounted. There was so much confusion that people believed they could be charged for using the vehicle’s infotainment system. The fine for using an electronic device while driving was a whopping $10,000. Thankfully, the Jamaica Constabulary Force(JCF) clarified the matter by releasing statements on the matter and social media posts. You can check the Facebook post here.
As demonstrated above, using an AC vent phone mount can help you avoid fines or legal issues related to obstructed views. In light of this, it’s advisable to steer clear of windshield phone mounts, which may violate traffic regulations or impair visibility while driving.
The Blukar Air Vent Phone Mount is stable, easy to install, and gives you the ability to release the phone with the click of a button.
Portable Battery Jump Starter
While on a road trip, you make a quick stop to view the scenery. After jumping back into your car, you realize that your car isn’t starting. No lights are appearing on the vehicle when you try to start it. After making a few checks, you realize that the battery is dead. Panic immediately sets in, and you start to contemplate your options. Suddenly, you remembered purchasing a Portable Battery Jump Starter and tossing it in the trunk. You immediately feel relieved as you can now continue with your road trip.
A dead battery is one of the most common issues motorists face, typically ranking in the top three roadside problems alongside flat tyres and engine trouble. Having a Portable Battery Jump Starter will save you from being stranded on the road. The NOCO Boost Plus Jump Starter can be easily charged with any USB Type-C port. Essentially, you could just use your modern Android or Laptop charger to charge it, then utilize it to charge your car battery. Very Convenient!
Spare Tyre, Jack & Lug Tool
In recent years, some modern vehicles have been manufactured without a spare tyre, often replaced by tyre repair kits. While this may save space and reduce weight, it can become a serious inconvenience if you experience a puncture or flat tyre on the road.
As mentioned earlier, flat tyres consistently rank among the top three most common issues faced by motorists. Without a spare tyre and jack, you could find yourself stranded, especially in areas without quick roadside assistance.
Equipping your vehicle with a spare tyre, jack, and basic tools is a simple but essential precaution that could save you time, money, and stress. Even better, learning how to change a tyre yourself adds an extra layer of confidence and self-sufficiency on the road.
Don’t know how to change a tyre? No worries, watch this helpful tutorial to learn step-by-step!
A spare tyre can be purchased at Tyre Warehouse or any reputable place that sells tyres. It’s best to call beforehand to see if they have your specific tyre size. Ensure that you have your vehicle/tyre information ready. A Lug Tool and Jack can be purchased at any local Auto Store or online.
Jamaica Automobile Association(JAA)
Many motorists either don’t know that the JAA exists or have no idea what the benefits are. The JAA is a unique membership association that provides Jamaican Motorists with benefits such as:
- Emergency roadside assistance 24/7
- Vehicle registration renewal service
- Vehicle fitness renewal service
- Emergency fuel top-up
- Emergency towing service
- 10% discount on Driving Academy
- Onsite accident assistance
- Discounts from our merchant partners across the island and much more!
The benefits you receive depend on the membership tier you selected. Membership starts as low as $3,450 + GCT per year! They offer regular membership, fleet membership, and family membership. The family membership allows you to add up to 3 vehicles and save on the yearly subscription fee. Showing your membership card at JAA partner locations can unlock up to a 20% discount on your purchases. You can view the list of partner locations, plus savings and discounts, here.
Do you want to know where to find the cheapest gas in the country? Check out the JAA fuel prices page.
Honourable Mentions
I covered all the ‘necessary tools’ that every driver should have; however, there are some tools that make driving easier.
Many motorists purchase an extended rearview mirror to reduce blind spots and view children in the back seat. This mirror allows you to see much more than the standard mirror that comes with your car.
Jamaica’s tropical climate means high temperatures year-round, so when motorists leave their cars parked outdoors for a few hours, they often return to a vehicle that’s uncomfortably hot inside. A windshield sunshade helps block direct sunlight, significantly reducing heat buildup and keeping the interior of your car cooler and more comfortable. Ensure that you pick the correct seat cover size for your car.
Seat covers are a great way to protect your car’s interior, helping to keep the seats clean from dirt, spills, and daily wear. Meanwhile, a tyre pressure gauge allows you to quickly and accurately check your tyre pressure, helping you maintain optimal performance, fuel efficiency, and safety on the road.
Extra: Steering Wheel Cover, Blind Spot Mirror, and Waterproof Plastic Floor Mats.
A Smoother Driving Experience
Some motorists will choose to get every item listed here, while others will only get the few that they need. It’s best to purchase what you believe will improve your driving experience. Sure, it is good to have the right tools, but we must also take steps to secure our cars. You can take a look at this article I wrote about Securing Your Car. Some items mentioned in that article may be beneficial to your overall driving experience. Is there an item that you would love to see that wasn’t listed here? If yes, let me know in the comments below.
It is important to service your car at regular intervals. This will help prevent certain issues from occurring that may leave you stranded on the roads.
Note Well: The author uses affiliate links in this article. He may earn a commission from these links if you select and purchase items from them.
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