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Speeders face court in police clamp down
Wednesday, June 7, 2006
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Stuart Kernohan,
Police Commissioner |
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service’s (RCIPS) efforts to put the breaks on speeding and errant drivers has seen 98 speeders caught in the last month, who will soon find themselves answering to a magistrate as part of the multi-agency campaign to stamp out dangerous driving.
This crackdown, which sees speeders sent to court rather than be issued with a speeding ticket, was launched by the Police as part of the effort to educate and influence drivers on road safety issues.
The Streetskill campaign was launched on 1 May by the National Roads Authority (NRA), the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), Cayman Islands Road Safety Advisory Council (CIRSAC) and Government Information Services (GIS).
As part of the RCIPS crackdown an operation was carried out this week by three officers from the Traffic and Transport Management Unit’s Motorcycle Division on the Spotts straight which resulted in 12 people being prosecuted. One van was found doing 71 mph in the 40 mph zone whilst weaving in and out of the traffic. He will be prosecuted for dangerous driving and speeding.
Later that day a further 13 people were caught taking the total to 25 speeders in one day.
In a separate operation a vehicle was found being used with incorrect number plates and licence coupon. The driver will be prosecuted for displaying number plates and licence coupon with intent to deceive which carries a maximum penalty of 12 months in prison or a $2000 fine.
Officers have also been handing out information fliers to people they pull over encouraging them to think about their actions and the potential consequences they carry.
Earlier this month a vehicle was found to be travelling at 94mph in a 40mph zone. In another incident a motorbike was found doing 74mph in a 40mph zone.
“These types of speeds demonstrate extremely reckless behaviour and it’s disappointing to see people continuing to put their lives and the lives of other road users at risk,” said Police Commissioner Stuart Kernohan. “We are hopeful that this campaign will highlight to people the danger that this disregard to traffic law creates.”
Since the beginning of 2006, nine people lost their lives on Grand Cayman’s roads. Almost all of these collisions featured speeding as a contributing factor.
Director of the National Roads Authority, Colford Scott added: “We have had some excellent feedback from the community on the launch of the campaign and it is apparent that the people of the Cayman Islands feel as strongly about this as we do. What we need now is for people to keep talking about it with friends and family and hopefully we will soon see a change in attitudes on the road.”
Organisers are looking for feedback on the campaign and welcome ideas and thoughts from the community. Residents are encouraged to contact deborah.denis@gov.ky - 244-3004 or ruth.smith@gov.ky – 244-1763 or marion.pandohie@gov.ky – 244-5865.
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