Woman dies in ETH crash

| 16/10/2012

IMG-20121016-00104 (240x300).jpg(CNS): Update 1:25pm — The Esterley Tibbetts Highway is now open for traffic. Part of the road was closed this morning following a crash in which a woman died. Police say a man was arrested following the crash. About 6:07am a Nissan box truck, which was traveling towards George Town, and a Hyundai van, which was travelling towards West Bay, collided on the ETH, close to the AL Thomson roundabout. Police say the female driver of the Hyundai died at the scene. The male driver of the truck was not injured and has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and suspicion of DUI. 

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  1. Tufty says:

    I don't let any of my family drive on that section of road between 7pm and 7am.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Two words: Central reservation.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Tip for the police they should park on the side of the road behind Baptist Church they would make a killing. Every morning the same thing people driving on the right hand side of the road cutting people off. Almost witnessed at least three head on collisions this morning. Can’t believe how inconsiderate and reckless people are when driving on that stretch of road.

  4. Anonymous says:

    While I do not know all thefacts in this particular case, I would like to make the following comments:

    Too often this road is used as a race track by some drivers

    Many drivers do not know how to properly use a roundabout.  I think when major changes to the roads are introduced, like the roundabout system we now have, Govt should make drivers re-sit the driving exam.  I know for certain that would bring in some $$ and hopefully ensure drivers are more educated on how to use the roads correctly.

    XXXX

  5. Anonymous says:

    My sincere condolences to this lady's family and friends.  My heart goes out to them for yet another senseless and tragic loss due to negligent indigent thoughtless and incompetent drivers on our roads. 

    The biggest problem we have here is not so much our roads but the incompetent drivers on our roads due to incompetent officers at the Vehicle Licensing Department who administer the written and driving tests.  As a previous poster said it is all too common to see people taking the written test multiple times in one day which is insane.  These fails should result in the driver having to return in no less than 6 months to resit the test. 

    The other problem we have is that punishment here for offensive driving such as excessive speeding, passing in no-passing zones and the middle lanes, drunk driving, careless and wreckless driving have far too lenient punishments.  Drunk driving should have an automatic 5-year suspension of your license and and a $5,000.00 fine plus forfeiture of your vehicle.  PERIOD.  If you injure or kill someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol it should be an automatic life sentence without parole.  If you are caught speeding in excess of 15 miles per hour over the limit your license should be automatically suspended for a year and a $1,000.00 fine imposed.  Every infraction thereafter should have the sentence upped by 1 year and another $1,000.00 fine so for example the second time you are caught speeding more than 15 miles per hour over the limit it would result in a two year suspension of the licence and a $2,000.00 fine.  This would be a giant step towards saving lives and also eliminate needless court processing and wasting of court time and funds.  It would also be a revenue generator for the government.  

    In the meantime the West Bay Road needs a speed limit reduction to 30MPH and speed bumps in the middle lane to reduce the ability to pass.  Cameras on all our most dangerous stretches of roads would also photograph career speeders who could be apprehended and punished as above.  I promise you these suggestions would not cost a whole lot and would help save lives and increase revenue for the government.  If you cant pay your fines then its an extra year in jail.  We need deterrants and we need punsihments that fit the crimes here.  Our laws and punishments need to reflect a ZERO tolerance approach on all sorts of crime if we are to reduce or end such tragedies.           

    • Anon says:

      I consider myself to be a courteous driver. I try very hard to obey all of the rules of the road, and to drive at a safe speed.

      However, four years ago I received my first ticket, I was 43 at the time, returning from a Bible study at First Baptist heading towards George Town on South Sound Road. I admit I was thinking about what Thabiti said, and not particularly watching my speed. It was not peak traffic time, and the road was deserted. I got a $100 ticket, my first and hopefully last. No one was ever in danger for my driving 45 mph on that stretch of road.

      Under your assessment I should have received a $1000 ticket, and lost my license for a year.

  6. Fair Minded Caymanian says:

    Condolences to all the family especially our Inspector who lost her loved one despite the fact that she has been championing the charge against drunk, speeding & dangerous driving………so so sad.  Too many deaths on this piece of road.  A median/partition would be great but I hope they put in another two lanes with a partition so that we can have traffic flowing in one direction.  Hopefully this will be done when the Dump situation is addressed.  It could save many lives.

  7. Anonymous says:

    I believe that the truck was overtaking. Why would the truck be on the right side of the road if he was coming to GT? 

  8. Anonymous says:

    condolences to the family of the victim.

  9. Savannah Resident says:

     

    Condolences to the family for their huge lost.  My heart and prayers go out to you during this terrific event.  I would like to provide some input regarding the ETH.  If I'm not mistaken, the original plan for ETH was for two separate, two lane carriageways traveling in opposing directions.  If that is need true, placing a median on the current road will not work for obvious reasons.  

    I shall make a FOI request to the NRA to enquire about the specifics plans for the road and make my finding available to CNS. 

     

  10. Anonymous says:

    Condolence to the family of the victim . and may the victim rest in peace .roads don’t kill people so no matter what design you have as long as you have carless driving and speed you will have this.i can say speed because i saw the vehicles.accidents will happen at the best of times and to the best of drivers it’s the speed and sudden impact that will make the big difference.

  11. insane says:

    This is very sad…..the type of news I don't want to see!!!

    Sincere condolences to the victim's family and friends.

  12. Anonymous says:

    Only a matter of time that one of the speeding marl trucks will smash someone in their way on this same road….Police reading this…?

    All heavy goods trucks should have speed governors to overcome the speed of greed as drivers rush to complete round trips, oblivious to any other road user.

  13. Anonymous says:

    The Commissioner MUST put the Traffic Department back in place.

  14. Anonymous says:

    God be with all involved.

  15. Anonymous says:

    I think the standard of driving here is so bad that the speed limit should be 25 mph everywhere. In GT or on the side roads it's a nuisance having to hit the brakes because of some idiot who is bored with giving way or decides to turn left from the middle of the road without indicating.  At 40mph+ that kind of stupidity is lethal.

    • Anonymous says:

      dropping the speed limit is not going to change anything, the speeders and idiots are still going to be out there doing their stupid shit, maybe we could use a bit of help from the LOCAL POLICE!!! i see this kind of incompetant driving all day every day and yes have seen it happen many times right in front of police but not once have i seen a police turn around or even hit the lights to let these drivers know this is unexceptable!!!

      • Anonymous says:

        Given the terrible speed the trucks go through Bodden Town to get as many loads of fill per day as they can to the roadworks  on the ET highway, I am surprised there has not been a serious accident there. No police ever to be seen but plenty police cars at the BT station

      • Anonymous says:

        22;01

        The police are not going to assist with the dumb ass speeders. it's a thing called bligh, its amongst every nationality on the island, they turn a blind eye should one of theirs are doing wrong.

        Police have been on these Islands since God knows when, do we get a slow down in speeders and reckless driving , no! so your police are the last ones to depend on.

        Install speed cameras, they have no sense of race, culture or nationality. they cannot turn off their eyes, or their flash.

  16. Anonymous says:

    In all honesty.  This is a classic example of the government's inability to solve the most basic problem.  Just put up a speed camera.  Simple.  It would pay for itself through fines and make these maniacs think twice before speeding round that bend (probably on the wrong side of the road).

    • Anonymous says:

      I wish the reporting was clearer. The report says that the Easterly Tibbetts Highway was closed between the Bank of Butterfield Roundabout to the Caymana Bay Roundabout. Yet it appears as if they are actually talking about the road closing from the Roundabout near AL Thompson to the Caymana Bay rounabout. Please note that there is a Bank of Butterfield in Governors Square and there is none by the AL Thompsons rounabout. What makes it the Bank of Butterfield roundabout?

      Now that we have starightened that mess out!!!

      There is nothing that is wrong with that road save the attitude towards driving there. However unless you can find away to change the attitude then you may need to consider middle dividers. Note that this does not appear to have anything to do with the appartment complex along that strech of road.

      • Anonymous says:

        Roundabout names are derived from the sponsorship of the maintenance of the roundabout, hence Butterfield Roundabout. It has nothing to do with the proximity of a business location or this terrible event. Condolenses to the family on your loss.

      • Expat in Cayman says:

        Have you never seen the sign at that roundabout????   Yep, that'll be the one that tells you it's upkeep and maintenance is sponsored by Butterfield.   Ergo, it is well known as the Butterfield Roundabout.  LMAO!!!!

      • Anonymous says:

        Seriously before you make any comments of any sort do some research. That is indeed butterfield round about because it is mentained and sponsored by Butterfield Bank. But what relevance does this have to do with anything? A woman's life was lost RIP to her and hope her family is comforted in their time of grief. People need to slow down and take their time Cayman is SMALL where are you rushing to go?

    • Anonymous says:

      Speed camera's are dumb and don't solve bad driving, a median in the road causes issues for emergency vehicles, especially single lane roads. The road should be a safe one, it has long sight lines, large run-offs on the side of the road, lighting, it does have that stupid entrance to the condo's half way down but apart from that it's not a bad road, yet it still claims a disproportionate number of lives. 

      I think you will find all the accidents have been caused by one thing, bad driving, can you correct that by redesign of the road or a speed camera, I doubt it.. 

      For a speed camera to work you need a current and accurate database of number plates and drivers in order to serve the notice or ticket to, I'm going out on a limb here and going to say we have neither.

      • Anonymous says:

        13;06

        You are right , they don't solve  bad driving , but they got more sense that humans, they take your license plate number which ties to the registration which leads to the driver.

        This would have given the police the opportunity to remove the  jack ass from further driving and speeding on our roads.

        If it offends you, pluck it out…. remove them!

        • Anonymous says:

          That would be nice, but there is no such system here.  Plate records are kept with DVDL and are not sync'ed with RCIPS roadside equipment.  RCIPS would have to go through channels to request an address and name from DVDL, and this can take days.  Welcome to Cayman!

    • Anonymous says:

      Cameras do not cure bad human decision-making, all they do is record the activity when and if they are working.  I don't think they would have added anything here.

      • Anonymous says:

        Cameras would help catch the culprits and remove the jack ass from our roads.it works every where else.

        This is simpley done, the camera takes your license plate number while speeding, and the police mail you the bill.

        You have no choice but to pay or you lose your license. Saw it done on the motor way from Devon to London…a friend was driving her brothers car, he ended up having to pay, the car was registered in his name. Also witness cameras in small town area.

        Great way to collect revenue. England made so much money, 8 years ago,  the people were complaining to shut  down the cameras…. human behavior of course, they didnt want to stop the speeding.

        • Anonymous says:

          Believe it or not, it takes many days for our Police to use a licence plate number to find someone. 

    • Stiffed-Necked Fool says:

      The ETH is Caymans "Spring Garden Highway", beautiful highway but dangerous as some people take it as a speedway!

      Spring Garden Highway is a highway in Barbados and when it 1st opened, there were many accidents and deaths as people tried to take advantage of a beautiful asphalt highway and speed.

      There was the famous Calypso, "Spring Garden ah comin", well sadly we will have to soon do a Calypso, "Esterley Tibbetts ah comin" unless the Police put a stop to the careless drivers!

    • Anonymous says:

      12;09

      I have to agree with you 100%  we need to imediatly install speed camras, they will bring in more revenue that the government really needs. The cops cant be on spot all the time, the cameras will never fail to catch these idiots. cameras do not sleep or slumber.

    • Anonymous says:

      Speeding is only one of the many traffic infractions that need regular routine enforcement by a traffic dept:  failure to indicate, running red lights, running crosswalks "while they are flashing", overtaking stopped school buses, failing to pull over for emergency vehicles, illegal window and license tint , headlights, driving position, going the wrong way, reckless driving, basic roadworthiness, expired coupons, no insurance, no license…the list goes on and on.

  17. Anonymous says:

    Too many people have died on this stretch of road.  It needs to have a median divider / central reservation like the newer stretches of the by-pass.  A worthwhile expense to save lives.

    • Anonymous says:

      12:07 I agree with you, this stretch of road is extreemely dangerous and has taken many lives.  I think the goverment need to seriously  make some decisions about changes.  It  is a death trap.

      • noname says:

        TO THE MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR ROADS

        The report is that this piece of road is a 'DEATH TRAP" how many more lives

        will be lost before you fix this critical problem?

        How many more parking lots will be paved before you fix this problem?

        Is parking lots more important than fixint this road?

        Come on now, donot let the blood of the  innocent be left on your hands.

        He that knoweth to do good and doeth it not to him or her it is SIN!

        James 4:17

    • Polly Tricks says:

      Apparently the money is better spent on private driveways in the Brac.

      • Anonymous says:

        13;48

         

        We dont expect any different of you sentiments, look at you handle. "Politics"You had to bring this BS up again, dont you ever give it a rest. you must go to sleep, and wake with this lady  on your mind.

        Do you have a solution for the idiots that speed on our roads.?or you just dont care, too busy critisising.

    • Anonymous says:

      The road is innocent.  100% of accidents on ETH have been result of operator error/impairment, including the many that have impacted the median dividers on the upper by-pass, or plowed through the illogical "Pedestrian Refuges" that used to dot the West Bay Road.  The bottom line is that people are expected to drive sober.  Period.

      • Anonymous says:

        Have you ever hear of  the inherent limitations of human information processing This is a "first-principles" approach to accident investigation because it draws on knowledge of basic human psychological processes.Instead of looking at the driver from the outside, try to understand his/her mental processing and how it interacts with the environment. Humans must rely on three fallible mental functions: perception, attention and memory. People driving down a highway are bombarded with a steady flow of information. Most of the information is visual input, the road itself, other vehicles, pedestrians, signs, the passing scenery, etc. Moreover, the driver may be processing other information sources such as auditory input (listening to theradio, talking on a cell phone, carrying on a conversation with another passenger), or internal input (remembering directions or planning what to make for dinner).

        If the visual information flow is low, there may be enough mental resource to carry on all tasks simultaneously. But attentional demands may exceed supply when:

        • the flow becomes a torrent (driving fast)
        • the information is low quality (poor visibility)
        • resources must be focussed on a particular subset of information (a car close ahead)
        • the driver's capacity is lowered by age, drugs, alcohol or fatigue.

        There may not be enough mental resource for all tasks. The driver then "attends" only a subset of the available information, which is used to make decisions and to respond. All other information, goes unnoticed or slips from memory.

        Roads design should aim to prevent (serious) crashes, and where this is not

        possible, to eliminate the risk of severe injury as much as possible. This approach seeks to prevent
        human error, and in doing so, mitigate the consequences by designing the traffic systems
        accordingly
    • Anonymous says:

      Why isn't there a median on this road?  Is it because the government doesn't have any money to pay for one?  If so, maybe it's time for us to form an organization to raise funds to build one.  I, for one, would be happy to do whatever it takes to raise the money to make this happen – before more people die! 

      Is there an engineering reason why there is no median, or is it just lack of funds?

      • Anonymous says:

        Why the thumbs down?

        • Anonymous says:

          23;31

           

          Why the thumb down, you don't understand, these are the same people blaming the elected gov for everything that bad happens here,  of course they not going to agree there is no funds, when at the same time they blame the elected gov, for spending too much money. they have to put politics in everthing.

          They call people like these, hypocrites.

      • Anonymous says:

        Perhaps Uncle Dart could build it for us?

  18. Anonymous says:

    Agreed.   (I am not sure why people are selecting thumbs down).  Many people do accelerate trying to beat the other driver as two lanes converge into one.

    As for the bypass, in Canada, most cities have photo radar cameras mounted, and the plate owners are sent a ticket, together with a photo and the speed they were caught.  This would END speeding and passing on that road permanently. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Vehicles travelling in opposite directions.  

    • The Thinker says:

      "This would END speeding and passing on that road permanently."

       

      It could also stop speeders anywhere else in the Cayman Islands, and it would cost less than Nation building gifts to churches, etc.

    • Devil's Advocate says:

       Cameras are 'recording devices' and a deterrant at best. They have little impact on the decision-making process in the human mind.

       EDUCATION on the other hand, has a profound impact on us all. 

       Cameras, Lane-deviders and Lower Speed limits are 'Band-aid' remedies for this problem, Proper driver EDUCATION is the best solution and cure.

       

    • Anonymous says:

      12;04

       

      You got 12 speedrs that disagree with your cameras. This is why we will always have idiots on our roads. these 12 is enough to kill equal or more in numbers.

  19. Anonymous says:

    The report says the vehicles were travelling in opposite directions so I don't think the merging traffic system leaving Butterfield roundabout heading for West Bay is the problem.  Drunk driving and/or speeding is likely to blame. 

  20. Anonymous says:

    Another tragic accident.  Though I don't know the circumstances, I do know that the sliproads some roundabouts have for drivers turning left, are totally unnecessary, and make it very difficult to actually see when trying to exit the sliproad as you practically need eyes in the back of your head to see what's coming.  If driving a left hand drive car it is even worse; it makes no difference to the traffic flow, and is just another potential hazard.  I notice the sliproad on the left by ALT's lumber yard seems to have been closed for a long time – just as well.  Now close any others – there's one on the Camana Bay roundabout too, which is just a ridiculous waste of time.

  21. Anonymous says:

    Like I have said before, this road needs a centre barrier to keep road users safe. The road should also be widened all the way down.

    How many more accidents need to happen before something is done?

    My deepest condolences to the family and friends.

     

  22. Anonymous says:

    Maybe it's time since people don't know how to drive properly on a two lane road that this road is separated like the rest of the ETH by a median. Almost every time it is the bad habits of carelessly overtaking that causes these accidentsand claims lives.

    How many more will have to die before we take action?

  23. Devil's Advocate says:

     I don't believe that at this time enough information has been thoroughly analysed tobe able  pinpoint cause or blame in this mornings tragedy.

     However, the MAJOR contributing factor to the high level of road accidents on our roads is the FAILURE of the DMVL to ensure that our drivers (especially new drivers) have both proper knowledge and understanding of Road Rules, Laws, and Ettiquete.

     I have personally witnessed persons taking the SAME "written" test multiple times on the same day. How can this be allowed? If an individual fails to show a proper understanding of the rules of the road, then they should not be allowed to re-sit the test until sufficent time has been allowed for the individual to study and understand the 'Road Code' before being allowed to do so.

     In most countries this is several weeks.

     Additionally, regardless of where an expat comes from, ALL should have to take a 'written' test to prove an understanding of the rules of our road system.

     Furthermore, ALL current drivers should have to take a written test when re-newing their DL as a means of ensuring that they are proficient at keeping abreast of road rules and practices.

     Such proceedures are not uncommon in many other countries as a means of heightening the awarness and (possibly) levels of safety among road users.

     Finally, the Classification and Award of DL's for Commercial Vehicles is GROSSLY Defficient. Even with the newly revised Traffic Law, there is no real Merit system that ensures that Commercial Drivers recieve the necessary experience needed to safely operate large commercial vehicles and equipment on the road.

     In the USA, Canada and Europe, it takes many years to achieve the same Class of DL that can be achieved in Cayman in a matter of hours.

     

     

    • Anonymous says:

      it dont take years for having heavy good vehicle licence in Europe. it take couple weeks which I  took training myself for 40 tonnes truck. It is not the law at fault it is people who DO NOT respect the road. It need automatic speed camera like in Europe, it read plate number then find the owner address then mail fines to the owner. Goverment should add law when renewal vehicle licenes they must pay any outstanding fines BEFORE renewal the vehicle licence.

  24. Anonymous says:

    Terrible tragedy.  My thoughts and sympathies go out to her family.  I always have a little anxiety driving down this stretch of the bypass.  More often than not, there is some wreckless driver passing cars, and taking risks on this 2 lane highway, just to speed up his communte by 2 minutes.  It's senseless.  How many accidents like this have to happen before the government  does something?  There should be regularly stationed traffic cops on this road nabbing these types of drivers and deterring others by consistent enforcement of the traffic laws.  It's unacceptable that so little is done to prevent this type of tragedy from occuring.

  25. Anonymous says:

    How many people have to die before thay make ETH a divided road so these head on collisions will no longer occur?

  26. Anonymous says:

    So sorry to hear this tragic news.  My condolences go out to the deceased's family and friends.  Perhaps we should think again about the closing of WBR as this accident seems to demonstrate how much we need both roads and not just the highway.

    • Anonymous says:

      10;10

      I hear your sentiment, but closing that small section of the west bay road has no significance to blocking our thoroughway.

      As a matter of fact, we will now have 6 lanes in and out  west bay..except for the 4,000 feet ….thats a lot more that the rest of the island has.

      Just supposed that accident had happened below coleman's corner, as it is today, you bayers would never get to work today. You better thank God you have a man like dart to add 4 more lanes in and out of west bay.  

       

    • Anonymous says:

      Sorry but exactly what difference would WBR being as is or diverted make to this? 

  27. Anonymous says:

    terrible…condolences to the victims family: and hope for a maximum sentence for these drunk drivers

  28. Anonymous says:

    Condolences to the family of the victim. Needless tragedy.

  29. Anonymous says:

    The road needs a central division. Every year deaths are caused by head on collisions. Why doesn't national roads do anything?

  30. Anonymous says:

    Get rid of that roundabout and instead have traffic lights there.  And do a partition on that highway so people cannot come over to the opposite lane when overtaking.  Something as simple as partitiion witih metal bard shouldn't cost much.  Or else simply, just close that road.  Too many deaths have occured on/near that highway.

    • Anonymous says:

      9; 55

      There is nothing wrong with that round -about, or any other, as a matter of fact. 

      What i observe, the majority of drivers using them without due care and mainly not using their indicators. Drivers speeding on them.

       I see drivers refusing to acknowledge that you are 60 feet ahead of them with your indicator on, trying to get in to a lane, only to speed up and fly by you sometime just missing from hitting the other vehicles.

      My only conclusion I can have of these drivers, are,  their brain are  not completly developed.  I would suggest a law  be inserted into our driving code, which would remove these  drivers from our roads , and a  mental test should be carried out, before they can return.

      I will reiterate, again. the police need to be station on all these round abouts. You people need to slow down, and remove  your brain from your right foot.

       

      May this lady's soul rest in peace. 

  31. Anonymous says:

    Sad news.

    Drivers here are awful: they don't indicate; pull out infront of you 'cos they can't be bothered to wait; chop & change lanes without looking or indicating; stop or turn without indication; stop in the middle of the street to let off passengers. And the haulage vehicles use massively excessive speed & are completeley dangerous.

    Slow down & indicate more, please people.

    • Anonymous says:

      9;48

       

      If you checkout  these drivers, you speak of, they belong toa mad house. How can some one in their right mind, change lane turn in front of you, without idicating.

  32. Anonymous says:

    How many more tragic deaths will there be at this spot before something is done to correct the road design?  Had steps been taken after the first fatality at this very spot another family may not have been grieving today.  NRA you should be ashamed spending money on private driveways, vote gathering for polticians, rather than making our roads safe.

  33. Anonymous says:

    that highway needs to be a divided road; there's plenty of space.  My question is after seeing the traffic disaster that occurs when we are reduced to one road what happens when we have only one road-the dart bypass-that everyone must merge into….?  will it be like this every day?

  34. fedupcaymanian says:

    yes, it is probably the roads that cause the accidents – NOT the drivers…. really>?

    • Anonymous says:

      agreed driver error is the cause but unfortunately the person killed was probably not the driver committing the error ….

  35. Anonymous says:

    This is such a tragedy….my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim. I can only imagine the pain and aguish they are experiencing by losing a loved one in such a manner. Be careful of the road folks.

    • Anonymous says:

      My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim. I can just imagine what they are experiencing as I had a sleepless night after having a close call myself. Yesterday  I experienced the most dreadful picture of near death of a young child who was probably under the age of six. While driving into town from South Church Street a little boy ran across the street from a parked car in a parking lot to pick up a plastic bottle from the main road. With the Mercy and Grace ofGod I was able to apply breaks in time to the frightened, but safe child, and lady (maybe mother) who sat in the car and watched.Parents I am appealing to you to not under estimate the movements of your children. I hope he has recovered from the fright and not having nightmares. 

  36. Anonymous says:

    There have been a great number of accidents at this point.  One real problem is that there are two lanes leaving the Bank of Butterfield roundabout and only only lane on the Highway.  This exceptionally poor road design has encouraged drivers to accelerate excessively upon leaving the roundabout immediately prior to the corner.

    • Anonymous says:

      If you read the article properly, the Hyundai was driving towards west bay and the other vehicle towards George town, no overtaking exiting the roundabout, the 2 lanes which merge were not the cause of this accident.

      • Anonymous says:

        If you read it, his van was damaged on the right side heading west which means he was either overtaking or  driving in the opposite lane which the lady was travelling in having merged off the roundabout.

      • Anonymous says:

        This was not clear from the report as it was posted at the time of the original posting. 

      • Anonymous says:

        "If you read the article properly" – typical rudeness on this thread, and wholly unnecessary.  In fact given that this story was updated during the course of the morning, the details you refer to were not included when the original posts were made, in fact the first report was made before the sad new that there was a fatality.  Please don't be so presumptive next time.

    • Anonymous says:

      I don't think it is a problem with the road design. 2 lanes leave the roundabout and merge, which is a normal road design. One person just needs to yield to the other that is all. The person who leaves the roundabout first effectively has the right-of-way so the other person should yield.

    • Anonymous says:

      This type of road design is very common in the UK.  It is not poorly designed it is poor driving that causes the accidents.  The mentality of the drivers is that they have to race as fast as they can just to get in front of the car ahead of them.  Not saying that this is what happened here obviously but I experience it every day at this particular spot.  I do have to laugh when I catch up to them on the road and at the roundabout.  Really people is it worth risking the other drivers life for a few seconds.

      • Anonymous says:

        Thank you, one sensible comment from this whole page of rubbish. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the road and it does not need any alterations, especially not a central barrier or reservation. It is a well known fact that the drivers here just couldn’t care less how they drive as there is no deterrent to bad driving. If they do know the traffic laws they choose to ignore them as there no enforcement. Whilst the road closure was still in place this morning a police car sped past me on the 25 mph stretch of road past AL Thompson so I know he was speeding, a mile or so from this fatality! We need to start at the top and make everyone obey the laws we have at present. There are plenty of automatic cameras that could be deployed to start to bring the driving habits of this island into the 21st century and in doing so bring in money to the government and maybe just maybe prevent something like this morning happening too often although it will never be stopped.

    • Anonymous says:

      There are many many poor road designs here in Cayman.

      I don't understand why on this road there is a central reservation.  This would stop a lot of the accidents & also stop a lot of th enear misses that happen when people cross the road to enter either lakeside or the national gallery despite do not turn signs and road markings.

      There will be many more deaths on Caymans roads until there is a good testing procudure in place & the DVDL is given the authorty to fine and remove vehicles from the road that are a danger.  The number of death traps out there that nothing is done about is scary.

      If its not road worthy – remove it impound it & in 3 months if nothing is done crush it.

    • Anonymous says:

      The "one real problem" is that 99% of people on this Island can't drive.

       

    • Anonymous says:

      Road design matters not when you are drunk and choose to drive!!!!

    • Soapbox Sally says:

      If you read the article they were traveling in opposite directions the 2 to 1 lane had nothing to do with it.

      I am very sad for the woman’s friends and family. I wish you peace and healing at this terrible time.

    • Anonymous says:

      Its either over taking or poor driving by the person who survived judiging by the details provided.

      Clearly people have not and will not heed the warnings previously given, they need to put pylons in the middle of the bypass for the entire length of the bypass. Simple.

    • Anonymous says:

      I agree with this.  I had a man overtake me in that particular area, and he nearly hit me.  The worst part is that when I honked at him to let him know that he nearly hit me, I got a middle finger back at me.  Not impressed.

      I avoid the bypass at all costs, but it's not like SMB road is any better, because people use the turning lane to overtake as well.

      Thoughts and prayers with the victim's family.

    • Anonymous says:

      The main problem is not the roads it's the drivers. 

      I've nearly been killed a number of times by trucks. Especially those big ones that seem to be driven by lunatics from georgetown to wherever they're going in east end. They don't stop at roundabouts, overtake cars on bends… I've seen it all, as I'm sure so many others have too. 

      Something needs to be done about the standard of driving in Cayman or people will keep dying. 

      • Anonymous says:

        11;33

        One has to ask the question , with the perpetual complaints, whty are the police not pulling these drivers off the road? do they own these trucks?

      • Anonymous says:

        Agreed, nothing wromg with road per se, it's always due to bad/impaired driving. In the UK you have single lane carriageways with no central barrier and a 60 mph speed limit, cant remember the last time I heard anyone having a head on collision on the one near where I used to live.

        Driver education, stating with proper licenced drivining intructors (ones who will at least display Learner plates whilst instructing would be nice – you know who you are !) and proper enforcement of laws either by static camera or police presence.

        Also about time the WB road was properly lit, especially around Hyatt through to Westin as I nearly wiped out an innocent family trying to cross the road and I expect them to be there ! However as there is only a cost involved in doing this and no profit to be made I doubt very much it's on Govt's priority list.

        Condolences to the family of the deceased…..

         

         

    • Anonymous says:

      9;06

      that is exactly the problem, like you said, speed up. I say slow down and negociate the on-coming lanes, and the use of the round- about, it takes one minute of your time.

  37. Anonymous says:

    Why people overtake when they can't see ahead of them really beats me.  My cousin was coming out of her road and all of a sudden there was a car in front of us heading straight for us.  The car had overtook a truck and we couldn't see the car and the car couldn't see us.  Luckily, she was able to drive off to the side of the road.  She said that she almost got hit by a truck in that same location doing the same thing overtaking.  People need to slow down.

     

    • Anonymous says:

      It is a sad situation for both parties involved. any my heart goes out to the family who lost their love ones. I pray for all drivers on the road because at anytime we can cost of loose our lifes.

    • Anonymous says:

      You  have obviously not driven in Jamaica where thre rule is.."If you can't see it, it's not there."