BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TRAFFIC accidents remain a significant issue in the Federation, with data from the past five years revealing that St. Kitts has recorded over 6,000 accidents, with Basseterre serving as the central hotspot.
Attorney-General Garth Wilkin highlighted the challenges on the nation's roadways, noting that from 2019 to 2023, there were 6,526 reported traffic accidents in St. Kitts—an average of approximately 1,300 per year.
To address this issue, the Inter-Ministerial Project Steering Committee has been tasked with incorporating artificial intelligence and advanced technology to develop a comprehensive policy for safe streets in the Federation.
During his budget presentation, Wilkin outlined immediate plans to analyze road and traffic data, resolve pressing road safety concerns, and engage the public in widespread consultations on roadway challenges.
Following a presentation by the Deputy Commissioner in one of two meetings had by the Steering Committee, Wilkin told the National Assembly that between 2019 and 2023, 128 of the 6,526 accidents resulted in serious injuries. Data for 2024 has not yet been included.
“And at the end of 2023, there were 19 fatalities. There have been numerous since then, five in one incident, two in another,” Wilkin noted.
Over the past several months, the Federation has faced a series of vehicular accidents. The most recent tragedy in the New Guinea area claimed five lives in a collision between a motor bus and a car. Just days earlier, two teenagers were killed in an accident along the F.T. Williams Highway.
"So we have around 30 road fatalities in five, six years. That is wholly unacceptable, Madam Deputy Speaker. And I promise to the people of this country that I will lead this committee to bring change in respect of road safety in this country,” Wilkin emphasized.
He assured that the committee would develop a detailed plan to address road safety concerns across the Federation. He highlighted that Basseterre alone sees between 700 and 900 traffic accidents annually.
Attorney-General Wilkin also pointed to distractions from mobile devices as a significant cause of accidents. “And when we ask what were the causes, they are mostly due to speeding... So when the police investigate these accidents, say, oh, I just pick[ed] up my phone, I got a text, look down, bam. So I encourage all of our people to be responsible on the road.”
