Minister labels frequent motor vehicle crashes a disaster
WHITEHOUSE, Westmoreland — The frequency with which traffic crashes occur has pushed the Government to include a response in their disaster preparedness plans, according to Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Desmond McKenzie.
“We consider the spate of accidents on our roads a disaster and we have incorporated that into our disaster response programme right across the country. I would like to urge those persons who use the motorcycle to get involved in the various programmes being undertaken by the Government,” he said during a disaster preparedness town hall meeting in Whitehouse, Westmoreland Thursday.
There have been various workshops and safety gear has been provided to motorcycle users, among other initiatives.
“It is not only creating hardship for families but it is costing the country an enormous amount of money for medical care in our public hospitals,” the minister said of the frequent road crashes.
In agreeing with McKenzie’s assessment of the gravity of the situation, deputy superintendent of police for the Westmoreland Division, Adrian Hamilton said his parish has an even bigger problem than the rest of the country.
“In relation to our traffic accidents within the parish… along with the crime situation, that can be categorised as a serious disaster…,” he said, adding that there have been 27 traffic fatalities in the parish so far this year, with 12 motorcyclists among those killed.
He noted that although there has been a decrease in the number of fatalities seen last year — 36 deaths, including 18 motorcyclists — they were still seeing risky behaviour such as the removal of motorcycle mirrors and brazen disregard for the rules of the road.
“When we embark on traffic enforcement initiatives, the main objective is to modify behaviour. On average, over 450 tickets within Westmoreland are issued weekly; a significant percentage of that is for motorcycle drivers who don’t wear protective helmets,” Hamilton said.
According to the Road Safety Unit, since the start of the year 251 individuals have died compared to 255 last year, a two per cent reduction but, according to Jason Stewart, road safety officer with the National Road Safety Council, this is still “too much”.