‘Bad’ drivers should be banned from roads – Minister Daniel

Despite warnings given by the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), and the Ministry of Transport and Works, to deter drivers of big trucks, these drivers are still traversing the bridge leading to the tarmac and causing damage to the restriction bar. As of the time of going to press, the metal deterrent was hanging in portions on one side of the road, and over the river.

Transport and Works Minister, Montgomery Daniel made a bold call for drivers who commit these and similar offences to be disqualified from using public roads.

In early November, Minister Daniel aired concerns about heavy vehicles – two tonnes and above – traversing the bridge which connects the main Arnos Vale road to the decommissioned E.T Joshua Tarmac, as the weight was placing the bridge in danger of collapsing. This determination was made after an assessment was carried out on the bridge by the Office of the Chief Engineer. Following this, signs were placed on the bridge informing motorists that vehicles exceeding two tonnes were prohibited from using the bridge. In addition to the signs, a nine-foot metal bar, was also placed across the road as a deterrent.

Speaking at the JARIC SVG Safe Driver 784 Road Safety Seminar, on November 21, 2024, Minister Daniel said the bar has been interfered with yet again.

“After another bar was placed- bigger, harder and tougher, that bar went like a flying kite in the sky.”

The Minister said he believed that provisions should be taken to disqualify drivers who intentionally ignore road traffic signs from holding a license.

“And if there is a time period… and the driver seeks to drive again, there should be a reapplication to the Traffic Department for this driver’s license.”

Minister Daniel also commented on the issue of motorists having defective vehicles on the road, including faulty brakes and broken lights.

“I see many vehicles that are defective, lights only working on one side, the braking system…vehicles parked on spots where you have signs for no parking.”

He said also that there are certain actions being done both by motorists and non-driving members of the public which continue to endanger the public roads.

The minister said as well that drivers of both private vehicles and passenger vans, are in the habit of playing music at a high volume and potentially hindering other road users from hearing oncoming traffic.

He commented also on the practice of side walks being used for vending, which forces pedestrians to have to utilize the roads when travelling.

The minister said while he was not knocking the Traffic Department for the work they do to police the roads, he thinks that more can to be done to maintain “control on the streets”.