Traffic department cracking down on uninsured vehicles

No stone will be left unturned to ensure that omnibuses on the roads of St Vincent and the Grenadines are insured.{{more}}

Head of the traffic department Superintendent of Police Kenneth John told SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday that his traffic officers will be out in their numbers, making sure persons are driving insured omnibuses, with very close attention being paid to the dates when the insurance expires.

“We observe that persons, especially van men, when their vehicle licenses expire, they will take out a one-month and two-month insurance, just to get to license their vehicle,” John said.

According to John, some of the omnibus operators, after they have licensed their vehicle, cancel the insurance, in order to secure a refund.

John stated that while there is now a crackdown on omnibuses, a team of traffic officers has been in place since January, doing routine checks throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“They have people’s lives in their hands. People are paying a fare and they must be able to ride in comfort and if anything happens, they should be able to be compensated. Once a vehicle is uninsured, the injured person is going to have to sue the owner and some of these owners do not have anything…,” John stated.

The superintendent also referred to an accident at Argyle on December 31, 2009, in which there were three fatalities. According to John, the omnibus was uninsured.

Just recently, there was a smash-up involving three omnibuses at the Fountain Highway, in which 15 people were injured. It was discovered that two of the three vehicles were uninsured.

“I am cracking down. And it is a serious crackdown. No stone will be left unturned,” John stated.(KW)