120 Road Crashes in January Spark Police Warning

Even before the first month of the year has ended, police have launched investigations into 120 vehicular accidents, prompting renewed calls for vigilance on Saint Lucia’s roads.

On Wednesday, in a statement which disclosed those figures, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Charlotte Thomas of the Department of Road Safety and Traffic Investigations appealed to motorists and pedestrians to exercise greater caution and adhere to traffic regulations.

“It is imperative that we issue an advisory to the motoring public whose actions continue to create dangerous and potentially fatal scenarios on our roadways. The reckless actions of a few endanger the safety of many,” she said, adding that pedestrians also contribute to collisions and must also exercise due diligence when navigating roadways.

“The exercise of due care and attention will prevent the senseless loss of life, damage to property and overall inconvenience to the general public.”

One of the crashes earlier this month resulted in one fatality. On January 4, 28-year-old Ivin Lucien, of Chapel Street, Gros-Islet, succumbed to injuries sustained in a collision involving two vehicles on the Julian R Hunte Highway.

Stressing the need for improved road safety practices, ASP Thomas said the department’s investigations revealed that many collisions were caused by driver error, as well as mechanical failures resulting from poor vehicle maintenance.

In response to the concerning statistics, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force is stepping up road safety measures. There will be more frequent and sustained vehicular checkpoints, and motorists are reminded to ensure their documents are valid and readily available at all times.

“Adhere strictly to the guidelines and regulations outlined in Saint Lucia’s road traffic legislation – maintain speed limits, exercise caution when overtaking, observe road signs and markings,” ASP Thomas advised. “In doing so, we can reduce the likelihood of such incidents and foster safer conditions along our roadways.”