Royal Cayman Islands - Excessive speeders caught in campaign

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Excessive speeders caught in campaign

Friday, May 12, 2006

Police Commissioner, Stuart Kernohan














The Streetskill campaign was launched on 1 May















The StreetSkill campaign which got underway at the beginning of this month to educate and influence drivers in the Cayman Islands is already brining in results, with speeders being caught in the law enforcement net.

The multi agency campaign was launched on 1 May by the National Roads Authority (NRA), the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), Government Information Services (GIS) and the Cayman Islands Road Safety Advisory Council (CIRSAC) to put the brakes on bad driving.

In one day since the campaign began, 17 motorists were caught driving over the speed limit. In one instance, a vehicle was found to be travelling at 94 mph in a 40 mph zone. In another incident a motorbike was found doing 74 mph in a 40mph zone.

For the month of May drivers caught breaking the speed limit could see themselves summoned to appear before a magistrate rather than be issued with a speeding ticket on the spot by police officers.

Those sent to court will not only suffer the inconvenience and embarrassment of having to appear before a magistrate but could also be issued with a higher fine.

“Since the beginning of 2006, nine people have lost their lives on Grand Cayman’s roads. Almost all of these have featured speeding as a contributing factor,” said Commissioner of Police, Stuart Kernohan.

“It is with this in mind that speeding is the first area we are concentrating on.”

He also added that the speeds that his force had witnessed in the campaign’s first week alone are completely unacceptable.

“The maximum limit available on the Island is 50 mph with many roads holding much lower limits,” the Commissioner added.

“People need to understand that speed limits are there for a reason and they need to be adhered to. The limit is the maximum speed you should travel at in perfect conditions – the limit is not a target.”

Director of the National Roads Authority, Colford Scott added: “Recently, we appear to have seen a growing disregard for road safety and this needs to change. The time has come for motorists to start taking responsibility for their own actions and consider the consequences of driving recklessly.”

Organisers are looking for feedback on the campaign and welcome their ideas and thoughts.

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.

StreetSkill will focus on a number of different aspects of driver safety such as speeding; drink driving and child safety over the coming year, using a multi-media approach.



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