BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Government is moving full steam ahead with its plans to tackle the growing problem of vehicular accidents in St. Kitts and Nevis, which can soon become a national security issue.
This was highlighted in the fact that for the first half of this year, St. Kitts has reported more than 600 vehicular accidents, many of which occurred in the Basseterre area.
The Attorney-General, Garth Wilkin, in updating the nation yesterday (July 13) at the Prime Minister's press conference, said: “We are currently working on an amendment to the Traffic Act to introduce a demerit point system so that who are reckless on the road can lose their licences after gaining a certain amount of points and cannot recover their licences until they take defensive and safe driving courses.”
This has been the general discussion of the Government since it took office last year, as the number of accidents occurring on St. Kitts has been frequent and sometimes deadly.
Sophia Henry, a Sergeant in the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force Traffic Department, recently revealed on WINN FM that they “have seen an increase in traffic accidents and fatalities for the year so far”.
She noted: “Speeding is one of the most common causes of fatality, because once you speed you don’t have full control of that vehicle.”
That has prompted Traffic Officials to institute new measures with some officers being stationary at prominent points to monitor speeding, wearing of seat belting, tinting and other offences.
Meanwhile, AG Wilkin explained that his Office is currently reviewing the Highway Code to examine speed limits and to introduce potential sleeping policemen, otherwise known as speedbumps.
The latest accident reported by the Police Force occurred last evening in Nevis when Nicklus David lost control of his motorcycle at a junction near Cane Garden and ran into the roadside brush, where he fell and was rushed to the Alexandra Hospital.
