100+ drivers netted in 1st week of crackdown
(CNS): The RCIPS arrested seven people on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, fined 15 for using their cell phones while driving, issued 32 tickets for speeding, 36 tickets for other traffic offences and found 22 people not wearing seat belts in just the first six days of the Christmas road safety campaign, ‘Staying Alive’. The officer leading the awareness drive said he was disappointed with the results from the first week (30 November-5 December) and also raised concerns about the number of collisions the RCIPS deals with after police revealed that they received an average of six reports of road crashes every day.
“Road safety is a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week priority for the RCIPS”, said Superintendent Adrian Seales. “Throughout the year we issue repeated advisories to drivers to remind them of the steps that they can take to stay safe, and keep others safe, on the roads. The Christmas and New Year season is historically a time when people think more about the on-going festivities than safety – that’s why we launch this important annual public information campaign. It’s the time of year where people drink more than usual and, instead of taking the sensible options of designating a driver or taking a cab, they drive."
He added that despite the warnings about the zero tolerance approach people were ignoring the cops’ message. “Seven people now face the prospect of losing their licenses for drink driving and dozens more face hefty fines for speeding, not wearing seatbelts and using their cell phones while driving,” the senior cop stated.
“If this blatant disregard for road safety continues then another family may face the prospect of losing a loved one on Cayman’s roads. To each and every driver who ignores the rules of the road, or wrongly believes that when they leave the bar they are sober enough to make good driving decisions, I would pose this question – will that family be yours?”
The Stay Alive road safety drive will continue until Friday 4 January 2013.
Category: Crime
I would applaud this effort if the Police followed the Tarffic Regulations themselves.
Recently I followed a car which had to stop sharply because an unmarked police car pulled onto the roundabout (the mini roundabout before Fosters at the Airport). The police car stopped on the roundabout and then when he pulled forward to let the vehicle past he drove round and stopped both myself and the car in front. The Police office (a sergeant badge # 249) then proceeded to warn us that we may cause an accident! When I said he was in the wrong for not giving way to traffic from the right on a roundabout he said I was wrong as the law (as he quoted) said give way to traffic on the roudabout to your left. I suggest he reads section 3 II I of the traffic regulations!
This also applies to the police officer who was driving a Government SUV coming from the Airport. Why he stopped at the roundabout when there was no traffic approaching from the right I do not know. He waited for me and I was to his left, to enter the roundabout first!
I really think that the majority of the traffic police need to go back to driving school!
Whats the best taxi to use from SMB to West Bay on an evening? One that I am not going to have to remortgage my house to have a few nights out over the festive period for. Any recommendations? Roughly how much should I be paying?
Why don’t you just stay in West Bay? You save money, we feel safer. Everyone wins.
You know they could fill in a budget hole and make driving the most safe experience by increasing the fees for traffic violations. Not sure why it is not being done.
Hello, you need to do this all year around. Just driving in to town from BT in the mornings, I could give out at least 15 tickets a day. Imagine if police were stationed at roundabouts ticketing every idiot who does not use his trafficaters – Cayman would be debt free in a year.
The first onesthe poiice would need to ticket for this would be themselves.
As annoying as it is that people don't indicate it's not a traffic offence to not do so, they could be charged under driving without due care and attention (or something like that) but it would probably require another action to be included – like tuning the radio or lighting a cigarette.
I think the reason is that the law says to not rely solely on an indicator. Also some of the indicator use is completely backward, they just have what they are meant to do in reverse, so I prefer that if you really haven't a clue how to use them, please don't guess, rather than forcing people to take a stab at it.
You have the indicate left on approach when taking the last exit – wrong.
Inidcate right when going straight over – wrong.
No indication – wrong
and finally correct indication, maybe seen once or twice a week.
Should be called "Operation Fleese the Public".
Does that mean putting fleas on the public? Or do you mean the police are 'fleecing' you cos you are breaking the law…:)
I think he/she meant that the Goverment is sheering any extra money the public may have by introducing so many laws and fines that eventually you will all be broke on the land your forefathers have already paid for. "Fleecing" like stripping the wool from a sheep! He/she is right, you are the milk cows and the government is going to take every last drop while letting the real criminals (XXXXX) get away with all your hard earned money. Good luck slaves!
Keep it up RCIPS!!!
Good! Now let’s start ticketing for obscured plates, failure to indicate, excessively loud music, and over-tinted windows also. Maybe I can make it to work without risking my life, or ear drums.
Oh and did you say excessively loud music?
I (hic) rezhent jat reshmark (hic) ….. (hic)
Hope you're not driving, buddy.
How about we extend this period to a 52 week crackdown
Running stop signs, not using signals, broken lights front and back, NO INSURANCE–and almost all of these people are DWS (Driving While Stupid)
Why keep giving warnings about the zero tolerance? Everyone who lives here and drives a vehicle should be familiar with the laws and expect the respective consequences if the laws are not followed. Stop babying the people and make them pay!
The next time you experience crazy driving, you dont have to wonder who is the driver. Their bad habits are brought with them. They traverse on the wrong side of the road to get where they want to go, with total disregard for other operators or drivers.
Was that you Rollie?