BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN addition to maintaining road safety during the Carnival/Christmas season, the Traffic Department had its hands full overseeing the towing of more than 30 illegally-parked vehicles.
These vehicles, SKNVibes is advised, were parked along the parade route during the Children’s Carnival, Grand Parade and Last Lap events.
Fifteen vehicles were towed on Children’s Carnival day, 12 on Grand Parade Day and six on Last Lap.
The Traffic Department has expressed concern with the ongoing trend of individuals parking their vehicles in restricted areas.
It is common knowledge that on the days when particular street activities are being held as part of the Sugar Mas festivities, parking along the parade route is prohibited. This is to prevent congestion as the parades flow along the route and also to reduce the likelihood of people’s vehicles being damaged.
Owners or operators of the towed vehicles did not regain possession of them until the $175 towing fee was paid. In addition to having to pay that sum, an offender could be issued a ticket which has to be paid within a certain number of days.
The Traffic Department has indicated that – because of the “uncooperative” nature of some drivers, and because of this recurring problem - the time has come for discussions to be had about implementing more stringent penalties for such offences.
Traffic Head Inspector Carl Caines said, “It is about time that a discussion is started about this because motorists still insist on parking where they are not supposed to. It almost seems as if people take the chance because they know they have the money to pay if their vehicle gets towed. A conversations needs to be had with the authorities about increasing the penalty.”
