Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Commuters disregarded on pedestrian crossings says ASP
ASP Parnell Browne
News
November 29, 2024

Commuters disregarded on pedestrian crossings says ASP

A wide cross section of motorists in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) have no respect for civilians using pedestrian crossings, and adhering to traffic laws like stop signs, right-of-way and yielding rules.

This, according to Officer in-charge of traffic, transport and garage, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Parnel Browne, is because the fines attached to traffic offences are miniscule compared to what is dished out in other countries.

The ASP told SEARCHLIGHT recently in a wide-ranging interview that he is lobbying for stiffer penalties on several charges, including cellular phone usage while driving, violations involving pedestrian crossings, and reckless driving.

“You fail to stop at a pedestrian crossing and the law say you must pay $50. How could that compensate for the injuries or death or the pain you might cause someone?” Browne questioned.

“Motorists do not have respect for pedestrians while they are crossing. I am seeing motorists are competing with pedestrians on a crossing and even stopping on a pedestrian crossing, and when you ask them why they stop on the pedestrian crossing, they say the traffic ahead stopped so they stop…disrespectful responses,” the Senior officer charged.

“You have to know the space and the length of your vehicle. Motorists are competing with pedestrians… someone is crossing, they (motorists) are seeing if they could drive pass before the pedestrian reach their side of the road.”

The traffic police says that drivers need to understand the law says that on approaching a pedestrian crossing, if a person is approaching the crossing with the intention to cross, you have to stop and allow them to cross.

“…but sometimes you have people on the crossing and motorists still driving…we have prosecuted a few persons who struck persons on the crossing while driving, quite a few persons,” the ASP revealed.

He, however, noted that a pedestrian crossing is not a place where a pedestrian should idle, as it is a part of the road designated for civilians to cross from one side of the road to the other in good time.

“Don’t stand on the crossing using your phone. It is not for you to do that. Cross in quick time unless you are disabled and have to spend extra time,” ASP Browne advised.

He touched also on the “STOP sign” which means that a motorist should come to a complete stop and check their surroundings before moving off, but a lot of drivers do not adhere to this rule.

The ASP explained that stop signs are placed in areas that are seen as blind spots for motorists, and not adhering to these signs is dangerous.

He added also that drivers coming out of side roads and gaps, onto main roads have been causing a lot of accidents due to recklessly trying to merge with traffic that has the right-of-way.

“I am seeing a trend with motorists. When they are exiting junctions, a vehicle will be 10/15 feet away from an intersection, and a man will just speed out of an intersection without being given the okay by the oncoming traffic.

“…it is wrong for you exiting an intersection or a junction where vehicles are on the main driving and you just take a chance and just slip out, and you would look to the person as if you have the right of way,” ASP Browne complained.

He said acts of this nature are causing “a lot” of accidents and people need to be more responsible.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    New era at modern Kingstown Port
    Front Page
    New era at modern Kingstown Port
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    The port operations in St Vincent and the Grenadines is entering into a new era to accommodate growing demands of international trade and cruise touri...
    No rent for Union Island vendors until January
    Front Page
    No rent for Union Island vendors until January
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    In an effort to ensure that vendors on Union Island fully recover from the setbacks caused by Hurricane Beryl, the government has decided to waive ven...
    Small fire displaces  form-5 students at SJCK
    Front Page
    Small fire displaces form-5 students at SJCK
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    Form five students of the St Joseph’s Convent, Kingstown, are expected to return to their classroom today, Tuesday, October 14, 2025 after a small fir...
    Vincentian make-up artist, designer in UK  spotlight again
    Front Page
    Vincentian make-up artist, designer in UK spotlight again
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    The international profile and resume of Vincentian makeup artist and designer, Kirk Cambridge-Delpesche continue to receive enhancements, with the lat...
    Union Island Ferry Terminal and Market opens
    Front Page
    Union Island Ferry Terminal and Market opens
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    Amidst the on-going recovery from the destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl in 2024, residents on Union Island saw the opening of a new Ferry Terminal...
    Hunters advised not to use injurious methods on their prey
    News
    Hunters advised not to use injurious methods on their prey
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    One week after the start of the hunting season, the Forestry Division within the Ministry of Agriculture is reminding hunters of their responsibilitie...
    News
    Hunters advised not to use injurious methods on their prey
    News
    Hunters advised not to use injurious methods on their prey
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    One week after the start of the hunting season, the Forestry Division within the Ministry of Agriculture is reminding hunters of their responsibilitie...
    NDP vice-president tells Central Leeward voters not to lose hope
    News
    NDP vice-president tells Central Leeward voters not to lose hope
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    Vice-President of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Nigel ‘Nature’ Stephenson said the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), want a decent qual...
    Former Minister of Government and Diplomat dies
    News
    Former Minister of Government and Diplomat dies
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    Former Minister of Government in the Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration, Selmon Walters, has died. Family members confirmed that Walters, who at ...
    Region prepares for COP30 at meeting in St Lucia
    News
    Region prepares for COP30 at meeting in St Lucia
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders met in St Lucia from October 7–10, 2025, for the Second Regional Preparatory Meeting for the 30th Conference of ...
    Ambassador of  Ireland presents  Letters of Credence
    News
    Ambassador of Ireland presents Letters of Credence
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    The Ambassador of Ireland to St Vincent and the Grenadines, Geraldine Byrne Nason, presented her Letters of Credence to Governor General, Dame Susan D...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok