Road safety took centre stage on Sunday, 17 November, observed as Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims.
In a statement, Saint Lucia’s Department of Infrastructure, Ports and Transport (DIPT) highlighted the pressing need for caution and safety on the roads, noting that the island has recorded 22 road fatalities this year, alongside numerous injuries.
According to Lenita Joseph, the Department’s Permanent Secretary, “The statistics of collisions for this year, to date, indicate that pedestrians and passengers have been at highest risk due in large part to the increasing number of incidents involving passenger vehicles.” Speeding, as well as improper use of the roads, she stated, were among the biggest culprits causing crashes.
Officials stressed that the effects of road accidents extend far beyond the moment of impact, often resulting in long-term emotional, physical, and economic devastation. In addition to victims, family members and first responders are frequently left grappling with the lasting consequences of traffic incidents.
“Our emergency and health services are constantly under pressure to respond to and provide post-trauma care,” said Joseph. She added, “The economic costs associated with the high risk [of road incidents] is manifesting in increased premiums for motor vehicle insurance.”
The department also pointed to the rising number of vehicles on the island as a contributing factor to the growing risk of accidents. “With an average of 300 vehicles landed monthly in Saint Lucia, the level of exposure and probability of crashes will continue to rise, resulting in an increase in the number and severity of injuries,” Joseph highlighted.
While the DIPT acknowledged that individuals must take personal responsibility—drivers, pedestrians, and passengers alike—it also emphasised the need for heightened enforcement of road safety laws. Joseph says the department hopes these measures will send a “strong and clear message of intolerance for continued disregard for road traffic rules.”
To address these challenges, the department says it has initiated the development of a road safety policy aimed at providing targeted responses to traffic-related issues. This move aligns with their observance of Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims, which they describe as an opportunity “to provide a platform for road traffic victims and their families. To remember all persons killed and seriously injured in road traffic crashes and to advocate for more decisive actions to prevent road traffic deaths and injuries.”
Looking ahead, Joseph issued this appeal: “As the festive season approaches, we take the opportunity to encourage all road users to be careful, be safe, be responsible.”
Question : What is the Department doing about improving on Road Safety?
Is there anyone in the department trained in Transport of Road Safety?
Are the driving schools teaching road safety?
Every time the authorities sending msgs for us the public and drivers and pedestrians. But your system of giving driving licenses is FLAUD. Obviously it is not working and simply producing bad drivers. So question, what changes are u recommending from your department to undertake to help produce better and safer drivers? Plz tell us.
If speed bumps are errected on the Bexon highway road fatalities will be reduced by at least 98%. Who is will to take such a simple an inexpensive initiative to save lives?
She conveniently left out one other major contributing factor that leads to road collisions and accidents…..that is poor road conditions both on design and quality! We all know there are substandard roads like morne serpent degazon roller coaster…..union roundabout infront of her office.
How many emergency vehciles are on the road with broken tail lights and signal lights? Why are driving schools teaching those newby Fit/ Vitz/ Vezel/ CHR drivers to switch lanes INSIDE a roundabout– eg) they coming from Gablewoods mall going Gros Islet and they chose to switch to the leftmost lane while inside the roundabout!! BTW, wasnt there a BIG LAUNCH for ” year of infrastructure”. I wonder if road safety ever made it in that.
@La Verdad November 20, 2024 At 12:01 pm
This has nothing to do with teaching and everything to do with the reckless drivers on the road. No amount of road safety classes can fix those nut jobs on the road. Punishment is the only option. You drive recklessly, you lose the right to drive as you’re a danger to others. Take bus for the rest of your life. Do it a few of them and see how quickly the roads get safer.
Driving has to be done to suit the road conditions and the road itself, taking into consideration other motorists as well as pedestrians. Placing speed bumps along every stretch of road cannot be the best option, although they do contribute to road safety. Revoking or suspending drivers’ licenses should be considered. The attitude of some people once behind the wheel also has to be considered. Studies have shown that perfectly reasonable people become easily agitated, impatient, and aggressive, once they are in the driver’s seat, take away the vehicle and they become their usual self. All these factors need to be taken to mind.