BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – HEAD of the Traffic Department, Inspector Carl Caines is admonishing drivers to be more attentive on the roadways and to adhere to posted signage.
This call comes in the wake of Saturday afternoon’s (Apr. 16) traffic accident in which Vincent Bradshaw of St. Paul’s Village had lost his life and a young boy seriously injured.
According to information reaching this publication, around 3:00 p.m. on the day in question, motorcar PB 204, driven by Bradshaw, was travelling along the Island Main Road when it crashed into a large tree on the mountain side of the road.
Bradshaw died on the scene but the lad, said to be a relative of the driver, suffered serious injuries and was transported to the JNF General Hospital where he is currently warded.
In a police release, Inspector Caines said that “2017 has started as one of the deadliest years on our nation’s roadways in a very long time. We have had years where we may have one or two road fatalities. In 2016 year to date, the Federation had recorded one road fatality and unfortunately a total of two by year’s end. However, this year it is tragic that we have experienced four in such a short span.”
In his cautionary advice to drivers, Caines declared that investigations revealed that in many cases they were distracted, “be it using a cell phone, talking to passengers, or some other distraction”.
“A number of our accidents have been attributed to excessive speed on the roadways, failure to adhere to posted signage and other unsafe traffic practices,” he added.
The Traffic Chief further advised that drivers should always think about safety.
“Drivers should use seatbelts, use child restraints for children, slow down to posted speed in school zones and when passing stopped commuter buses. Drivers and pedestrians should pay attention in areas highly used by both. I encourage walkers to use bright colours so they can be seen.”
He declared that the Traffic Department would increase its presence on the roadways in order to ensure compliance to traffic regulations.
The release informed that Commissioner of Police Ian M. Queeley had directed full support from all outlying stations to ensure the raising of traffic consciousness.
