–in light of recent fatalities
TRAFFIC Chief Hugh Denhert told this publication that speeding, drunk driving and inconsiderate use of the roads continue to be the major contributory factors fuelling road fatalities.
Police Traffic Chief, Mr Hugh Denhert
His statement comes in the wake of recent road accidents that have claimed the lives of several persons, including two young men.
Denhert added that Traffic Headquarters at Eve Leary is conscious of the increased fatalities and is totally against the attitude of some drivers. Traffic ranks are all agreed that the road carnage needs to end.
Denhert said that all road users — pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, drivers — need to play their part in ensuring the roads are used safely, since road safety is everybody’s business and, in this instance, everybody needs to be his/her brother’s keeper.
The Police Superintendent explained that the road space is used by all at any given time, and it must be shared with animals, vehicles and people; therefore, all needs to be conscious and alert when using the road space.
He told this publication that everyone is obliged to exercise care and caution on our roadways. Accordingly, persons wanting to consume alcohol should get a designated driver who is not consuming alcohol with them, and be considerate of all road users.
Denhert said two recent road accidents wherein persons under the influence were speeding have claimed the lives of two young men, and should serve as a wake-up call to everyone to use the roads responsibly. He said the results of drunk driving coupled with speeding can be devastating, and he reiterated his admonition to all road users to show care for others when using the roads, since one life lost on our roads is one too many lost, and the nation could ill afford any other loss of lives in road accidents.
The Police Traffic Department Headquarters yesterday reported that, for this year, the police have recorded 111 road accidents in which 120 persons lost their lives, including 15 children.
For the corresponding period last year, police tallied 96 road accidents with 92 deaths including nine children.