The organisation, which encourages safe road practices, recently announced it plans to cut emissions and fuel consumption in its fleet-management procedures.

According to operations manager Duane Ellis, the concept came about as a result of his recent training stint in Chile. He said the training afforded him the opportunity to analyse vehicular emissions and provide solutions to fleet-management issues.

"After completing the programme, I formulated a plan to implement the lessons I learned," Ellis said.

He added that the spin-offs are reducing air pollutants, cutting carbon dioxide emissions and saving fuel.

Currently, the JAA has a membership of 34,000 and manages 127 vehicles. The group hopes to achieve its targetted objectives through driver- education programmes, driver-incentive programmes, penalties for breaches and the use of global positioning systems to monitor driving habits.

Twenty-one public and private-sector fleet managers from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Jamaica and Uruguay participated in the event.