Caribbean Times 94th issue - Thursday 21st April 2016

2 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Thursday 21st April 2016
Hunte urges drivers to adhere to the rules of the road
Joanna Paris
Head of the Traffic Department,
Superintendent
Mclean Hunte, called on
drivers to observe the rules
of the road when maneuvering
their vehicles around the
country.
He said that there has
been an increase in vehicular
collisions from January
to March this year when
compared to the same period
last year.
Editor’s Note
Dear readers, advertisers, and
well-wishers,
As has been previously stated,
Caribbean Times is on a
thrust to improve every facet
of its operations. A number of
changes have already been implemented.
Caribbean Times believes that
it is only fair we keep you our
clients abreast of important
developments and contact information.
There are specific
departments and teams now allocated
to ensuring that when
you advertise with, or buy, Caribbean
Times it is exactly the
most informative, reliable, and
enriching experience available.
To this end we ask you
to send:
Pertinent news items to
news@caribbeantimes.ag.
Advertisement inquiries to
ads@caribbeantimes.ag.
Letters to the editor to
editor@caribbeantimes.ag
Hunte revealed that there
were 440 traffic collisions
and five road fatalities from
January to March 2015,
while in 2016 there were
565 collisions with no road
fatalities.
“In January of last year,
there were 163 collisions
that took place, this year in
the same month there were
173.
“In February, there were
130 last year and now this
year, we are looking at 198,
which is a huge jump of 68.
In March 2015, the records
show that there were 147
collisions in comparison to
194 this year”, Hunte noted.
The traffic head further
explained that the country
has not seen the construction
of new roads in recent times,
so it is the same road network
being utilized today,
which was utilized 40 years
ago with one differencemore
cars.
He commended the officers
within the traffic department
and the traffic wardens
for the work that they have
been doing in streamlining
the flow of traffic around the
island.
“I have to give kudos to
the members of the Royal
Police Force of Antigua and
Barbuda for keeping the rate
of collisions at its minimum.
In Antigua we are looking at
over 45,000 vehicles utilizing
our road ways.
“We have person passing
their driving test every day
and each week there is a boat
that brings in vehicles down
at the port and those vehicles
end up on the road. So we
are trying our endeavor best
to keep collisions at its lowest”,
Hunte emphasized.
He also urged drivers to
adhere to the speed limits.
“Drive your vehicles
safely, drive within the
speed limit. Do not at any
point in time test the speed
of your vehicle because
there is where you are going
to go wrong. We do not have
any highway, which runs
for over 2 miles, every 50
yards there is a curb or there
is a junction and you really
should be careful as to how
maneuver these areas”, advised
the head of the traffic
department.
Hunte stated that the police
have been made numerous
arrests for dangerous
and reckless driving and the
failure to observe the red
lights.
He said that these are
considered traffic offences,
which have consequences.
“Once you are approaching
that line at that intersection
and it is within a second
that it moves from green
to amber to red, you have
to stop at that line because
you won’t have enough
time to cross for the green.
This is why the law clearly
states that once the amber
light is on, you stop”, Hunte
stressed.
He added that the traffic
department will enforcing
the laws of the land to make
sure that the amount of traffic
collisions are minimized.
National Heroes package finalised
The government is honouring a commitment
to the country’s living National Heroes
that it will provide them a package of benefits
worthy of their status.
An announcement said the two living National
heroes, Sir Lester Bird and Sir Vivian
Richards, will both receive free utilities, appropriate
housing assistance, transportation,
household staff and due recognition as part of
the protocols at official functions.
The announcement said this move represents
a fulfillment of a commitment made by
the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party while
it was on the campaign trail prior to the 2014
general elections. According to the announcement
both Sir Lester and Sir Vivian had made
outstanding contributions to Antigua and Barbuda
and that by virtue of their elevation to National
Hero status, they must both enjoy a standard
of living commensurate with their status.
The announcement said the new proposals
will go into immediate effect.
Caribbean Times is printed and published at Woods Estate / Friars Hill Road. Contact: Caribbean
Times, P.O Box W2099, Wood Estate / Friars Hill Road, St. John’s, Antigua. Tel: (268) 562-
8688, Fax: (268) 562-8685. Website: www.caribbeantimes.ag