Even before the first month of the year has ended, police have launched investigations into 120 vehicular accidents, prompting renewed calls for vigilance on Saint Lucia’s roads.
On Wednesday, in a statement which disclosed those figures, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Charlotte Thomas of the Department of Road Safety and Traffic Investigations appealed to motorists and pedestrians to exercise greater caution and adhere to traffic regulations.
“It is imperative that we issue an advisory to the motoring public whose actions continue to create dangerous and potentially fatal scenarios on our roadways. The reckless actions of a few endanger the safety of many,” she said, adding that pedestrians also contribute to collisions and must also exercise due diligence when navigating roadways.
“The exercise of due care and attention will prevent the senseless loss of life, damage to property and overall inconvenience to the general public.”
One of the crashes earlier this month resulted in one fatality. On January 4, 28-year-old Ivin Lucien, of Chapel Street, Gros-Islet, succumbed to injuries sustained in a collision involving two vehicles on the Julian R Hunte Highway.
Stressing the need for improved road safety practices, ASP Thomas said the department’s investigations revealed that many collisions were caused by driver error, as well as mechanical failures resulting from poor vehicle maintenance.
In response to the concerning statistics, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force is stepping up road safety measures. There will be more frequent and sustained vehicular checkpoints, and motorists are reminded to ensure their documents are valid and readily available at all times.
“Adhere strictly to the guidelines and regulations outlined in Saint Lucia’s road traffic legislation – maintain speed limits, exercise caution when overtaking, observe road signs and markings,” ASP Thomas advised. “In doing so, we can reduce the likelihood of such incidents and foster safer conditions along our roadways.”
The police and PM ask for tge driving public to be more responsibke. But until the police actually care about enforcing the laws and stop the illegal activity and keeping the roads safe for all.
Appealing to the public won’t cut it . It’s getting worse, not better. You all have been appealing for a while now, but the situation keeps getting worse. Completely new strategies must be employed in order to see change. Times have changed.
Talk, Talk, Talk.
The money government spent on the road safety PSA should have been used to procure equipment for the traffic officers. This initiative would have been more effective.
It is also ridiculous to conduct one annual road worthiness inspection for public transportation vehicles. 98% of the vehicles being inspected for road worthiness have never being placed on a ramp or lift. We have clerical officers inspecting vehicles at a number of certified garages around the island. The inspection focus must be less on the tyres and lights but more on suspension, brakes, oil leaks, chassis, etc ie the things that cannot be seen without a Lift or Ramp.
Police no longer check for defective lights and windshields or visible bald tyres all they are intrested in are insurance and license, how unfortunate.
If the Prime Minister is that upset about the rate of road accidents he must start at the Transport Department and the Police and not PSA’s .
I agree with Wade. The chaos on our roads will continue until the police do their jobs and enforce ALL the traffic laws. They only enforce the ones where they can stand on the side of the road and flag people down for infractions, like not wearing seat belts, and expired stickers. And the police actually need to abide by those laws themselves. And fixing the deplorable roads might help, too.
defective vehicles or bad vehicle parts is contributing to this. it cant be just bad driving. the market these vehicles come from and the sellers need investigating. bad driving should be punished too.
So seat belts are not one of the causes for road accidents. Yet still that’s the focus at traffic stops.
I did see any mention of drunk driving. When is the police going to have breathalyzer and radar guns to tackle the main causes of road accidents especially on weekends. Do what needs to be done stop begging people.
Start introducing a points system for licenses and also harsher penalties with respect to various incidents. If you are caught driving under the influence your license should be automatically suspended for at least 6 months. Also drivers shouldn’t be on the road without the appropriate documentation I.e. proof of insurance, stickers, identification, permits. Officers need to be held accountable to these as well.. many violate the same rules they are put to enforce.
I remember when Leo was constantly riding up and down the place…. You weren’t hearing of accidents like now…we need another Leo…or a few of them on the roads