Dr Delroy Fray’s revelation last week that motor vehicle crashes are now the leading cause of surgical delays in St James sounds a deafening alarm that needs to be heeded.

This is not merely a logistics problem for hospital administrators, it is a public health crisis that translates into real suffering for patients awaiting elective procedures as their treatments, in most cases vital, are pushed back by the relentless tide of preventable road trauma.

Dr Fray, the clinical coordinator for the Western Regional Health Authority, told journalists at a news conference that while there has been a significant reduction in gunshot wound cases between August and September this year in comparison to the same period last year, there has been a surge in road traffic crashes which continues to place a strain on operating theatre schedules.

He also said increases in cancer cases are contributing to the strain, but we will address that at another time.

According to Dr Fray, between August and September 2024 Cornwall Regional Hospital saw 26 gunshot wound victims compared to 213 motor vehicle crash victims. Over the same period this year the hospital saw seven gunshot wound cases compared to 285 motor vehicle crash cases.

The numbers are stark, the financial and human cost is unsustainable, and the social burden is immense.

A similar alarm was raised on Sunday by Dr Lucien Jones, vice-chairman of the National Road Safety Council, who told us that, up to that day, the island had recorded 312 road fatalities.

According to Dr Jones, a tireless crusader for road safety, the current number of road deaths is five per cent above the 297 recorded over the corresponding period last year.

He is of the view that if there is no change in behaviour the country will see more than 400 road deaths this year. Last year the number was 365.

The core issue, we believe, lies in driver behaviour. Speeding; improper overtaking; distracted driving, including cellular phone use; and driving under the influence of alcohol and narcotics remain the primary culprits. These are not accidents in the truest sense; they are the predictable consequences of indiscipline and a collective disregard for the rules of the road.

Dr Jones believes that aspects of the Road Traffic Act are not being rolled out properly. We fear he may be right, even as we acknowledge the increased presence of the police on the roads.

Intensified and consistent enforcement of the Road Traffic Act will no doubt help to reverse this alarming trend. So too will continuous public education and awareness which are crucial to fostering a culture of safety and responsibility among all road users.

We should be relentless in highlighting the direct link between reckless driving and the strain on the health system, emphasising personal accountability and the duty of care to others.

Additionally, there is need for improvements in road infrastructure — better lighting, clear signage, and where possible, sidewalks and overpasses for pedestrians, particularly in high-risk areas.

And while prevention is key, improving the post-crash response system will help mitigate the severity of injuries and the associated strain on hospital resources.

Also, consideration should be given to integrating mandatory defensive driving courses for all new and renewing licence holders to instil better driving habits from the outset.

Making our roads safe is indeed a national priority, because every life lost is one too many.