There has been a 29 per cent increase in road fatalities for this year so far when compared to 2021. That’s according to acting Senior Superintendent Wayne Mystar.
“To date I can say that am there are 31 fatalities compared to 24 in 2021,” he said.
Speaking at the TTPS weekly media briefing on Thursday, Mystar said last year the lowest amount of road families– 75–in this country’s history were recorded, but since many COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed, deaths on the roads in T&T increased.
“There is high level or reckless and inconsiderate driving on our nation’s roads,” he added.
Mystar said starting this Easter weekend, the Traffic and Highway Branch will work with stakeholders to reduce road fatalities because one death is too much.
“We will be having a lot of speed exercises because that is the number one reasons why we having a lot of fatalities,” he said.
But that is not the only trend the officers realised while responding to accidents. According to Road Safety Coordinator Sergeant Brent Batson people are ticketed the most for not wearing their seatbelts.
“We continue to see a lot of people ejected from the vehicles which again is suggesting lack of seatbelt use…I thought we were passed that because everybody realises how important it is to wear seatbelts,” Batson said.
He suggested that back seat occupants also wear seatbelts, even though it’s not yet law. “Remember children five and under must be in the back seat in a child seat,” he said.
Batson said police will also be out with their breathalysers this weekend.
“We are using more intelligence driven road policing tactics so we know where a lot of these events are…we are reminding persons the legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol,” he said.
A breath alcohol level over the limit can carry a fine of up to $12,000 and disqualification for the first offence and the second offence can be up to $22,500. Batson said it’s not worth the risk.
“I make reference to that social media clip circulating with the trauma that young lady faced with the loss of that love one that is exactly what we are working to prevent, “he said.
With school set to reopen the day after the long weekend Batson and Mystar said heavy police presence will continue.
“On the nation’s highway you will see traffic barge officer in their numbers, we will have static points monitoring the traffic especially during peak hours” Mystar said. Batson recommended that parents, whose children are starting a new school maybe in an unknown district, drive the route this weekend and familiarise themselves with it.
“So you would know if there is a no entry sign that now comes into effect around school times so do some journey management,” he said.
For the Easter weekend the police also advised beach goers to listen to the lifeguards and monitor their children. Campers were also advised to inform the district stations of their location so that they can check up on them and to secure their homes while away.