ASP Kenneth John: Our main aim is to make the road safe

There has been a decline in the number of reported vehicular accidents for the second consecutive year, due in part to the work of the officers of the Traffic Department of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.{{more}}

In an interview with Searchlight on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, Assistant Superintendent of Police Kenneth John said that there were 799 reported motor vehicular accidents and four reported road fatalities in 2011, a decline from the previous year, which saw a total of 828 motor vehicular accidents and four road fatalities. 1029 vehicular accidents were reported in 2009, with 9 road fatalities.

This decline was attributed to the work of the officers in the Department, John explained, as they have increased their patrols in and around Kingstown and throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

John also stated that for January 1 to 25 this year, there has been a decline in reported vehicular accidents, when compared with the same period last year. Stating that the Department has started its “Clamp Down” exercise earlier this year, John added that this has contributed to the decline.

The exercise, John explained, takes officers throughout the country to check every vehicle on the roads to ascertain whether or not the vehicle is roadworthy. This includes checks on insurance, license and the general condition of the vehicle.

John noted that once the vehicle does not meet the necessary requirements, the driver may be taken to court, or the vehicle will be taken off the road. He stressed that zero tolerance is exercised during the “Clamp Down” procedure, and once vehicles are found in fault, necessary action will be taken.

“In this ‘Clamp Down’, we are not going to stop until we are satisfied that all vehicles on the road are insured, licensed and roadworthy,” John stated. He added that during this exercise, it was discovered that a number of vehicles were uninsured. He also appealed to drivers to make sure that their vehicles are insured.

John also issued a reminder to motor vehicle owners that it is an offence to have writings on the front and rear windscreens of the vehicle. John urged operators to desist from doing so, adding that persons must seek permission from the Commissioner of Police in order to have writings on the front or rear windscreen of their vehicles.

The main aim of the Traffic Department, John noted, was to make the road safe for the general public.

“When you leave your home and you walk in the street or you drive in a motor vehicle, you should be able to go to and from your destination,” he stated.

John added that the public has been instrumental in assisting the Department, as persons have reported cases of reckless driving to the Department. He further appealed to the general public to continue in their support of the Traffic Department for the year of 2012.

John added that improvements to the roads throughout the country have been made, including the addition of more road signs in areas such as Brighton, Arnos Vale, Ottley Hall, and New Montrose, with mirrors being installed in some areas as well. He added that road signs were also added in areas that were prone to vehicular accidents.

John also reminded pedestrians to exercise caution, especially when crossing roads, and also reminded drivers to keep within the speed limits, which is 15 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour in Kingstown, and 20 miles per hour to 30 miles per hour outside of Kingstown. (OS)