Brac police aim to make children safer
(CNS): Police on the Sister Islands are targeting traffic violations that endanger lives, especially those of the youngest members of the community. “In Cayman Brac we are extremely concerned about people travelling without seatbelts – and in particular, young children," said Area Commander Chief Inspector Malcolm Kay. "It is beyond belief that parents would, in this day and age, choose to transport their most precious cargo in such an indifferent manner. If they are caught they will be prosecuted.” Generally, motorists in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman should brace themselves for an increased police focus on the roads, the RCIPS said.
The move comes as officers recognise a growing concern relating to the road safety on both Sister Islands. “We take the safety of all road users extremely seriously,” said Kay, who will be targeting drivers who break the traffic law.
A number of measures have been taken recently to ensure that officers in Cayman Brac can carry out their roles effectively, including fitting a second marked police vehicle with mobile radar equipment and re-qualification of officers in the use of the radar machine. “Residents and visitors should expect to see an increase in traffic enforcement and not only in the area of speeding – but in all areas of road safety,” said Kay. “Parents should also be warned that we will be targeting those who fail to strap their children in safely.”
In addition, officers will continue to educate young children at the Cayman Brac Day Care Centre on the importance of wearing seatbelts. Children will be encouraged to ask their parents to strap them in and remind their parents to put their own seatbelts on. In Little Cayman, officers will be targeting speeders thanks to the arrival of a handheld radar machine.
“On such a small island it is completely unacceptable for people to disrespect not only the law but their fellow residents by driving at high speeds,” said Kay. “It was made quite clear at our recent community meeting that residents are concerned about the excessive speed of cars and we are prepared to take positive action to put a stop to it.”
Residents on both Islands are reminded about the dangers of driving in the back of pickup trucks and Kay warned that anyone seen carrying people in such a way would be stopped and dealt with according to the Insurance Law and Traffic Law.
Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Sister Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.
Category: Local News
If you can afford a car and fuel, you can afford a car seat.
Ignorant and careless not using carseats for children. I would say for every child you see IN carseats or strapped in here, you see one NOT in carseat/strapped in. The kids are normally loose in backseat, or standing between the two front seats, or almost against the dashboard.
The hospital here religiously accompanies new mothers to the car to ensure child in proper seat – goodness only knows what happens to the seat after that.
GOOD FOR the cops in CB doing the checks but now cops here in GCM need to do the same! We have fairly good laws but LITTLE ENFORCEMENT!!
Do all these people really care about their children?
In response to "I have seen the price of car" – the midwives at GTH do escort you and your baby to your car when you leave, well at least they used to up until a few months ago as I witnessed it whilst visiting. When I left they actually put my baby in the car seat, made sure the straps were positioned correctly and that the seat itself was properly secure.
To Anonymous poster 13:54
Come on! The majority of people just don’t have their priorities straight! How many people who are apparently straped for cash are driving around in spanking new cars? Based on your analysis, it would be only the people in "crappy old cars" that have their children not properly restrained, and that is obivously not the case. People need to stop looking to society and government to provide for them and get of their bum and get their priorities sorted! I have argued with some people Iknow who also failed to restrain their kids in car seats because the children cried or didn’t like it! My question to them was "would you prefer, your child to be injured or dead, or do you think your child should should just learn that they have no choice and get used being straped in, even if it means that they have to cry for 20 minutes"?……………and then everyone wonders why children do not follow any rules anymore and have no discipline, it is because nobody ever laid down the rules for them from when they were little!
CNS: Thanks for that!
I have seen the price of car seats on this island and it is ridiculous! Sometimes three times as much as they cost in the states, shame on the places selling them. For new families starting out money is tight and this is just taking advantage of the situation.
A good idea, and what I have seen in the states is the police departments have an annual fund raiser to provide money to purchase car seats to give to people in the community, along with it the police officers are trained to know how to properly install them in vehicles. Anyone, at anytime, can stop by the police department and check to see if the car seat they have is installed properly in their vehicle. You would be surprised how many aren’t!
This is a great website for information, mind you it is a US based website but it still has great tips and information. Let’s not chastise and judge but educate and assist. Maybe our early childhood department could do something useful and offer a workshop for parents on this topic. You would be amazed at how much of a positive response you will get when you lend your help!
http://www.babycenter.com/0_car-seat-safety-how-to-choose-and-use-a-car-seat_64869.bc
While I understand your point on the expense one has to incure in purchasing a car seat (new) I don’t agree with that being a reason for a child not being restrained properly. There are garage sales all the time where you can purchase a used car seat and if you just can’t afford a used one then you probably can’t afford to raise a baby either! What price tag can you put on a precious little helpless life?!? I bought a used car seat for traveling purposes (airlines seem to be quite hard on lougage these days) and only paid CI$40.00.
This is an everyday occurence in Grand Cayman too. The ironic thing is that the drivers are all strapped in with their seatbelts and not a second thought is given to the child or children bouncing around in the back seat. All it takes is for them to have to stop the car quickly and the child will end up smashing his or her skull into the windscreen – it’s a bit too late then isn’t it. You are responsible for your children and their safety and whether or not you are their parents – they are in your car – you are responsible for them. Use some sense people – buckle up your kids and make the island a safer place for them. That way they will do the same thing when they get older and have children of their own.
Saw a driver with a probably 14-18 month old child in his lap going down the road, also holding a to go drink from Wendy’s. Soo stupid it is unbelievable!
It has amazed me, the complete disregard for common sense driving and parking. Those double lines along the curb signify emergency vehicle access — don’t park there. Find an actual parking spot and walk the extra 15-20 yards, lazy!!
Everyday on Grand Cayman I see a two year old standing between the seats. I suggest the police make an effort and sit by the day cares one day.
A car seat is a lot cheaper than the cost of a couple of fines. Fine them and offer amnesty if they show up with a car seat before the ticket is due.
I see kids almost on a daily basis NOT in car seats OR seatbelts. I have been tempted to call the police with the license plate number, but what are they going to do??? They obviously do not enforce it now. It’s a shame somone will be hurt before something is done about it. These parents should be given a hefty fine and made to take a safety course as well.
CNS: is there a law that states children under a certain age HAVE to be in a car seats as there is in the states? Very curious to know.
CNS: I don’t have a copy of the Traffic Law handy, but I understand that there are no specific laws in place at the moment. The traffic law states something like ‘all persons must be suitably restrained’, I understand. It may be more specific in the new Traffic Law, but who knows how long that will take to draft and pass. I’m sure when a baby or toddler dies because they weren’t in a car seat, they’ll rush legislation through.
This happens in Grand Cayman too. Everyday you can see children sat on the laps of an adult in the front seat. What do the Police do? Check licence coupons and look for cars with blue headlights!
Cayman Brac police need to focus on drunk driving and under age drinking.
The speeding should subside once a race track is built. Brac Motorsports Association is working on that. The more support the better.