While acknowledging the responsibility of motorists to adhere to traffic laws, Ferdinand says the police need the requisite equipment to enforce the nation’s traffic regulations. He says police officers must also conduct highway patrols to supervise drivers.

“As long as you leave people unattended or unsupervised, they will do what they are not supposed to do – not the majority, but they will cause accidents,” the President said. He adds equipment will allow law enforcement to enforce the country’s road regulations. “How much will it cost the authorities to buy speed guns and breathalysers? Do you know the number of individuals who have lost their lives because of drunk driving? Persons injured because of drunk driving?”

Ferdinand says a police presence would deter drivers from breaking the rules of the road. He is therefore asking the police high command to deploy more officers along the highways.

“If you are driving from Castries to Vieux Fort and the likelihood of you being stopped for speeding is zero, what do you think would happen on the road?” Ferdinand said.

The island has recorded several fatal road incidents for the year, with many involving public omnibuses. Saint Lucia joined the rest of the world in celebrating Road Safety Awareness Month in November. Permanent Secretary in the Department of Ports and Transport, Lenita Joseph, urges motorists to “use the roads wisely.”

“The safe use of our roads remains a public health concern. As a small island, still-developing state, Saint Lucia continues to grapple with the effects and impacts of road collisions and crashes,” PS Joseph informed.

Joseph says the road fatalities continue to strain emergency response personnel and motorists. She urges motorists to “use roads wisely.”