BASSETERRE, St Kitts — TRAFFIC accidents remain a major concern for the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, despite a decline in the number of reported incidents over the past two years.
Although the full figures for 2026 are not yet available, Sergeant Matthew McGuire disclosed that 1,599 traffic accidents were recorded in 2025, down from 1,767 in 2024.
Speaking on WINN FM, McGuire said 8,569 accidents were recorded between 2019 and 2024, averaging approximately 1,428 accidents annually.
He also reported 36 road fatalities between 2020 and 2025. McGuire recalled that 11 people died in traffic accidents in 2025, while the latest figure available to him for the current period stood at eight. He cautioned, however, that he did not have the final figures to confirm the current total.
Despite the reported decline in accidents, McGuire questioned whether motorists were taking road safety seriously, noting that the police had introduced several measures to improve compliance and reduce collisions.
These include vehicle checkpoints, photo radar technology, increased police presence and automated traffic ticketing in selected areas.
“So, even though there has been a slight reduction, it means, therefore, that the attitude or behavioural change within motorists seems not to be changing in terms of road safety,” he said.
McGuire identified Basseterre as the area with the highest number of accidents, recording an average of 773 annually over the period under review. Old Road recorded an average of 122 accidents.
He also pointed to the Kim Collins Highway as an area of concern, citing frequent speeding along the roadway. According to McGuire, motorists have been recorded travelling at speeds ranging from 17 to 40 miles per hour above the limit in a 40-mile-per-hour zone.
He identified speeding as one of the primary causes of accidents, while other incidents may result from driving errors and other circumstances.
Explaining why certain roadways experience more accidents, McGuire said motorists often take advantage of clear visibility and well-paved surfaces to drive at excessive speeds.
He also identified the Johnson-Lambert area, including the stretch from the vicinity of HUMS towards Ross University, as locations where police data have highlighted speeding and accident occurrences.
McGuire appealed to motorists to recognise their responsibility for road safety and make it a priority whenever they use the roads.
The Sergeant noted that while enforcement measures often encourage motorists to comply temporarily, some return to unsafe driving habits once they believe the risk of being caught has passed.
McGuire said changing motorists’ behaviour remains one of the major challenges facing the Traffic Department, adding that officers will continue to assess and review accident data to guide their road safety efforts.
