Traffic Police to Increase Vigilance

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) continues to monitor traffic and drivers and promises to be more vigilant in 2005.

“Traffic is increasing due to the number of new cars on the roads and the RCIPS is appealing to drivers to slow down and be courteous to their fellow drivers,” said Sergeant Adrian Barnett, of the Traffic Department.

Sergeant Barnett and fellow officers have noticed a change in driver attitudes since Hurricane Ivan: “At accident scenes we see that people are more frustrated or angry, especially since they often now have only one vehicle in the family. Once an accident has taken place you can’t reverse it,” said Sergeant Barnett.

According to the sergeant, contributing factors to accidents include speeding, driver inexperience, defective vehicles, driving under the influence (DUI) and dangerous driving.

The RCIPS warns drivers that road blocks will occur across the island — even during the day — as officers check for seatbelt use, valid vehicle insurance and driver licences and speeding. Another concern is Ivan-damaged vehicles which continue to be driven despite obvious safety violations such as missing windscreens and broken headlamps. Traffic police are now clamping down on drivers: “For a time after Ivan we gave some leeway but now we are more vigilant,” said Sergeant Barnett.

Especially disquieting to the RCIPS is the issue of speed and recently licensed and inexperienced drivers. Sergeant Barnett warned that serious accidents can happen anytime and drivers must be alert with their full attention on the road. “Racing by young men between the ages of 20 to 40 is a major concern,” he stated.

The many cars that carry children without seatbelts or infants without approved child seats also alarm police and parents are reminded that these are offences under the law. Sergeant Barnett also pointed out that drivers are only exempt from wearing a seatbelt if they carry a doctor’s letter, drive a delivery truck or are reversing a vehicle.