Stronger police presence on roads for Carnival

Motorists can look forward to a greater police presence on the roads to combat fatalities. Deputy Commissioner Mervyn Richardson said so last week, speaking at the first road safety breakfast consultation held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The meeting was an initiative of the Ministry of Transport and the T&T Beverage Alcohol Alliance, with the support of various ministries and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Richardson said last year there were 188 road fatalities. He pledged the police service’s support for the ministry’s road safety campaign. A meeting was held with Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams and others, Richardson said, at which strategies to combat road crimes and fatalities were addressed.

Emphasis will be placed on the Sir Solomon Hochoy, Churchill-Roosevelt Highway and Audrey Jeffers Highways, he said. He sounded a warning to drivers, saying that while he hoped the public would respond to moral suasion, the police were committed to enforcing the law.

He noted an upsurge in driving under the influence of alcohol. Seven people were recently fined $35,000 for driving under the influence in an exercise in the East. Earlier, Dr Lincoln Douglas, Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism, said it might be excusable for someone to go five or even ten miles over the speed limit, but Richardson said the police would not accept anything over the speed limit and urged drivers to stay within it.

“To impact crime, we must first win the battle on the road,” Richardson said. More officers were committed to the southern highway and officers are doing what they can in order to keep people alive. He also said during the Carnival season officers will be out in force.

Housing Minister Roodal Moonilal, Justice Minister Christlyn Moore and Douglas were present for the road safety campaign launch and pledged their support.