In light of the horrific roads deaths, especially within recent weeks, the police are urging motorists to ensure their tyres are in good working order.
Public Information Officer for the Police Service, ASP Michael Pierre, made the appeal yesterday during the weekly police press briefing at Police Administration Building, Port-of-Spain.The road death figure currently stands at 135 compared to 146 for the same period last year.
Three more people died in yesterday's fatal accident in Mayaro."But despite the decrease we do not wish to have an increase. We wish to have a further decrease in road deaths," Pierre added, noting the current figure represented a ten per cent decrease in road deaths.
On Monday, Namdeo Harriman and his son, Lalchan Harriman, were killed in a crash on the M1 Ring Road, Princes Town. The men were front seat passengers in a Toyota sedan that crashed into a truck travelling in the opposite direction.
"We are urging all motorists to drive with caution. The country continues to experience heavy rainfall, resulting in wet, adverse road conditions," Pierre said.
He also urged motorists to ensure their vehicles were road worthy and to make time to check tyres, with specific focus on tread wear, depth and inflation pressure, which were essential for traction and stopping.Drivers found operating a motor vehicle with a defective tyre, Pierre added, faced a fine of $1,000 in accordance with Regulation 44 of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act.
Regarding the use of cellphones while driving, he said that remained a cause of major distraction to motorists.
"Cellphones can take away your focus from the task at hand, which is arriving safely at your destination. We are asking you to avoid the use of cellphones while driving," Pierre said, adding it was safer to invest in blue tooth devices instead.
"Also, avoid driving when tired and be aware that some medications may cause drowsiness and will make operating a vehicle very dangerous and always use caution when switching lanes," he said.