The police traffic department says it has recorded 196 deaths for this year from 159 road accidents.
According to statistics from the force road deaths have increased in every area. The department said during the corresponding period last year 112 accidents claimed the lives of 136 persons. This year 28 children died in road accidents while 19 died during the same period last year. Fifty-seven pedestrians were killed in accidents this year. Thirty-seven died last year.
Statistics also revealed that there has been an increase in the amount of passengers killed while travelling in public transportation. Twenty-two passengers in minibuses were killed this year; 16 died last year. The number of drivers killed on the roadways has also increased: 18 died this year compared with 12 last year. Figures also show that the number of persons killed on the roads this year includes 31 pedal cyclists and 28 motorcyclists. Last year 18 pedal cyclists died and 22 motorcyclists.
In the wake of the upsurge in fatal accidents Acting Commissioner of Police Henry Greene and the traffic department have implemented a number of new measures aimed at curbing lawlessness on the roadways. ‘Operation Safeway’ was officially implemented on November 1 and police are on the lookout for breaches such as speeding, loud music in public transportation, overloading, heavily tinted vehicles, violating traffic light signals and driving unlighted motor vehicles. Several pedestrians have also been charged for not adhering to the traffic light signals.
As part of the campaign the department has also been publishing photographs and video clips of errant drivers and it is in the process of re-examining the issue of defective tyres. In addition, all minibus and hire car drivers will be re-examined through the licensing and certifying office. Police have also implemented the new traffic ticketing systems which have resulted in increased fines ranging from $5000 to $7000. Before the new system was implemented the fine for traffic violations was $150.
