14/11/2024

Prime Minister issues statement on increase in road traffic accidents

By OPM

Fellow Saint Lucians,

I am profoundly disturbed by the level of road accidents and road fatalities in the Lucia. First of all, I would like to express my condolences to the families of all those who have lost their lives because of these unfortunate incidents, particularly the gentleman who lost his life at Praslin yesterday. I would urge the public of Saint Lucia to drive responsibly and drive more carefully.

These unnecessary deaths caused most of the time by reckless and careless driving can be avoided. I know and I am aware that some accidents are inevitable, but the sheer madness on Saint Lucia roads has to be brought under control. I will be having discussions with the Commissioner of Police to look into the reasons why we have not got any speed guns, to measure the speed at which vehicles travel in this country.

There have been over 500 calls for accidents from the Saint Lucia Fire Service. This actually is a waste of resources and most of our health care problems and issues at the emergency ward are because of the wanton accidents that happen in this country. As a nation. We must take responsibility for our actions. This reckless driving is unacceptable and it must stop!

The police must ensure that they take measures to stop this recklessness and loss of lives on our roads. I urge all the people of Saint Lucia to take this warning seriously. Reckless driving is a crime and can be punishable by imprisonment, and the police must look into ways and means of enforcing the laws of this country.

We need to stop this recklessness. We need to stop this irresponsibility. I look forward to an improvement in the driving culture in this country, so that we can use our resources in better ways to help the people of Saint Lucia, and to improve their health care generally, and not to use resources of our healthcare system to deal with accidents that can be avoided.

I thank you.

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