BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOLLOWING yesterday’s accident at College Street Ghaut, which resulted in the vehicle bursting into flames, the Traffic Department is again calling on motorists to always observe the basic principles of road safety.
Approximately 20 minutes shy of 5:00 p.m., motor jeep PA8624 was travelling northwards along Upper College Street Ghaut when it collided into a wall on the eastern side of the road before spinning to a stop in the centre of the road.
The driver, who was confirmed by Head of the Traffic Department, Inspector Cromwell Henry as Glendon Ben was rushed to the Joseph N. France General Hospital for treatment. Henry informed that Ben suffered minor injuries and complained of back pain.
Resultantly, he was hospitalised and released this morning (Feb. 25).
The lone passenger in the vehicle, Aannad Shammi, reportedly complained of neck pain and was also transported to the JNF General Hospital and released later that evening.
Inspector Henry, who has long cautioned against neglecting the principles of road safety, explained that the risk of accident is higher on College Street Ghaut because of the “slippery drain” which runs north to south along that stretch of road. Nonetheless, accidents could be avoided if the basic rules of road safety are observed, Henry explained.
“Because the road is wider that usual, there is that temptation. But we advise motorist to apply the rule of keeping as close as possible to the left hand side of the road in the direction that you are travelling. You should only move over to the other side if free passage on your side of the road is prevented by some obstruction.
“There is an added danger with the drain which is usually slippery. It poses the risk of skidding when motorists are driving excessively fast and attempt to cross the slippery drain. And so we advise motorists to drive within the speed limit regardless of how free the road is, and take extra precaution when crossing the drain."
