Kenson Casimir, the Member of Parliament for Gros Islet, says that as the area develops, he is increasingly concerned about traffic and road safety.
“We have a situation where we need to kind of pause and see what we need to do. Reckless driving is of huge concern,” he said.
“In the Riviere Mitan area, some of the roads that we have developed there, I feel almost responsible for some of the road occurrences because in times past before I came in, the Riviere Mitan road into Desrameaux, into Morne Citon was a road that had a lot of potholes so individuals drove slowly.”
Now that the roads are repaired, the MP said people are asking for speed bumps in the communities because drivers are speeding in these areas.
“So we need to start a national discussion on road safety, because it cannot be an MP going and installing a set of speed bumps. We need to start having more programmes geared towards individuals understanding that they need to be more responsible drivers in our communities,” Casimir said.
He also referred to the road from Masade to Cap Estate, where business owners are also asking for speed bumps.
“Is the answer just installing speed bumps or do we need a more comprehensive way of dealing with irresponsible driving in our constituencies and our communities?” Casimir asked. “So for me it has to be a two-pronged approach, but I cannot now in good conscience just go and put speed bumps all over the constituency.”
The Gros Islet MP said that now that the traffic department at the new Gros Islet Police Divisional Headquarters is open, more interventions and better traffic management can be expected.
Like some other Islands, St
Lucia is a victim of its own success. I say, do what works best. If no speed bump, cameras. When speeders keep getting hit in the pocket, they will slow down.
No land use plan, no zoning, no limits on how many hotels going up in only 616 sq km….no proper bus system…just vehicles, little ones, electric ones, big ones, heavy duty ones all over the place! What do you expect Mr Minister? Look within as the problem maybe inaction on the part of government!!!!
The thing about the authorities is lack of movement on issues that needs urgent intervention. If the people can not regulate themselves, then the government must step in to regulate the behaviour of the people for their own safety. Penalize the offenders severely. Well placed speeding cameras can raise a lot of money for the government. If drivers can not learn to drive safely, then make them pay an arm and a leg for driving recklessly. Along with a heavy financial fine, enforce that perpetrators do an intensive driving safety program that they themselves should pay for, then deduct penalty points on their driver’s license and see how quickly they behave themselves when they realise that driving is essential to their work or getting around. Often times Leniency begets complacency. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. It will surely save more lives.
@C-Wiz … I shake your hand. Many times administrations close their eyes on WAYS to make $$$ from lawlessness. Yes – after the reckless drivers are fined, make them pay to do better by attending road safety classes/workshops – from their own pockets. Auto insurances should also sanction / sponsor those who violate the law, by upping their motor insurance premiums, etc. Drivers should be given credits for good driving habits, and discredits to those who violate the driving laws. Time to put the foot to the pedal.