The Sunday-morning car crash claimed the life of eighteen-year-old Jonathan Michael Jones - a passenger in the car that reportedly collided with a stationary truck.

Jonathan was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

An RCIPS report revealed that the driver of the white Honda Integra in which young Jonathan was travelling was 21 years old.

He received hospital treatment for his injuries but was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing death by dangerous driving.

Jonathan's death brings the number of fatalities on Cayman's roads from vehicular accidents since the start of the year to 10 - all in less than 8 months.

Death on Cayman's roads from motor vehicle accidents began to send shock waves early in the year when, by March, the Island was averaging more than two deaths from crashes per month.

Speeding on the roads, reckless driving habits, high alcohol consumption levels while driving and young, inexperienced drivers experimenting with liquor and fast cars have all been blamed for the high death rate.

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) responded even while facing manpower problems with speed traps, roadblocks and breathalyser tests.

After only a few months of campaigns, reports showed that figures for those caught for road offences increased but speeding has remained a serious concern for the RCIPS who have targeted young, inexperienced drivers.

The police too have pointed a finger of responsibility at parents. At one RCIPS Community meeting in Bodden Town in June, Police Commissioner Stuart Kernohan told parents to tell children that if they speed they will die.

The Commissioner was uncompromising in telling parents to play a more forceful role in turning back the problem of speeding, and death, on Cayman's roads.

Throughout the Bodden Town meeting, residents placed great emphasis on police and other strategies to nab speeders, or prevent those who drive at high speeds from doing so.

After the police had revealed the success of their efforts in this area he pointed out that parents had a part to play.

"It is the public that is doing this. The Police do not have the resources to do all these things.

"Parents need to exercise supervision. If you take a look at your son or daughter's vehicles and they look like sports vehicles, or ones that will go at high speeds, chances are they are being driven like sports vehicles," he said.

"If parents don't take on the responsibility of telling youngsters to reduce speeds, they may very well get that knock on the door."

Graham Walker - who is close to the issue - spoke to Cayman Net News after Jonathan's death.

"This is sad and tragic for those who are left behind," said Mr Walker.

"The standard of driving testing has improved and the Government is doing its best. But we still need to tighten up on the way in which those in the twenty-five-to-thirty age group drive. These are the persons who are supposed to be setting an example for younger drivers."

Another resident who spoke with Cayman Net News turned the focus on legislators.

"Where are we with the amendments to the Traffic Law to provide graduated licensing legislation? That Bill was tabled in February 2005."

22 January was the day that kicked off road accident deaths in Cayman this year, with two persons dying from motorbike injuries on the same day.

Since then Chief Inspector Courtney Myles, Head of Traffic in Cayman, has said there are no specific accident spots on Grand Cayman that the Traffic Department has targeted, as accidents are occurring everywhere.

"The fact is, accidents are now happening at places we didn't expect them to occur, " he said
though Linford Pierson Highway is to be watched.

"Too many youngsters have died on that road," added Inspector Myles.