Decrease in road fatalities for 2023, but accidents up

St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), saw a decrease in the number of road fatalities for 2023, but the number of motor vehicle accidents continues to be a cause of concern for the Traffic Department of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF).

Head of the Traffic Department, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Parnell Browne, disclosed that for 2022, a total of 781 accidents were reported across the country and for 2023 there were 845, which represents a eight per cent increase.

The last accident recorded for 2023 occurred on Saturday, December 30, and resulted in major injuries for the occupants of a minibus travelling along the Glen Road.

Around 6:30 p.m, a minibus driven by Claude Richards of Lodge Village was heading down Glen Hill when the driver lost control resulting in the vehicle overturning.

Ten passengers, including the driver, received minor injuries and three persons were seriously injured. One male passenger had his hand severed at the wrist as a result of the accident and underwent a surgical procedure at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

ASP Browne said while the accidents may be as a result of different factors, negligence was often the leading cause.

“Some are attributed to negligence, some are using devices when they are driving hence they are running into the back of people’s back and this practice must stop.”

For 2023 and 2022, more than half of the accidents recorded were in the Kingstown area with 545 recorded in that district last year and 456 in 2022. Six road fatalities were recorded in 2022, while the number for 2023 stands at four.

ASP Browne said the Department will be seeking to erect more traffic signs to guide motorists about road usage.

“We cannot allow motorists to assume where a sign should be or what sign should be in place.”