Infrastructure Minister Stephenson King has called for vigilance and shared responsibility on Saint Lucia’s roads during the launch of a socially inclusive, gender-responsive road safety campaign held Wednesday at the Derek Walcott Square.
Speaking to a diverse audience including motorists and pedestrians, Minister King underscored the urgency of behavioural change. “Lives are at stake,” he warned, issuing a series of heartfelt challenges:
“I challenge every driver—slow down, put away your phone, buckle up, respect speed limits. They exist for a reason. I challenge every pedestrian—be visible, use crossings, look before you step. I challenge every motorcyclist and cyclist—wear your helmet, your life depends on it. I challenge parents—model safe behaviour, your children are watching. What they see you do, they will do,” King declared.
The campaign, launched in advance of November’s Road Safety Month, marks a renewed push by the Department of Infrastructure, Ports and Transport to reduce traffic-related fatalities and injuries. Minister King is expected to remain a visible figure throughout the initiative, reinforcing his commitment to safer roads.
The statistics are sobering. Between 2018 and 2023, Saint Lucia recorded over 155 traffic-related deaths—88 percent of them male, according to the Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health Dr. Sharon Belmar-George. Police reported that in 2025 alone, ten fatal crashes occurred between January and September, matching the previous year’s toll.
Dr. Belmar-George underscored the devastating consequences of road accidents, which range from brain and spinal injuries to long-term psychological trauma. She also highlighted the strain on the health care system, calling the cost “unbearable.”
“There is an urgent need to educate the public on speeding, drunk and drug driving, driving while using a cell phone, and driving with fatigue,” she said, noting that the campaign targets high-risk groups.
Resident British High Commissioner, H.E. Amy Quantrill, whose country funded the reconstruction of the Millennium Highway and the West Coast Road said her government is proud to have contributed to the projects via a grant from the UK/Caribbean Infrastructure Fund.
“This investment is not only improving connectivity and climate resilience but also helping in making Saint Lucia roads safer, more inclusive and more accessible,” Quantrille said , adding that the United Kingdom remains committed to supporting Saint Lucia’s journey to safer more resilient Infrastructure.
Coinciding with the campaign is the completion of the Millennium Highway upgrade—from Banannes in Castries to Cul-de-Sac—a stretch known for its smooth gradients and inviting design. Authorities are urging drivers not to be lulled into speeding.
The highway forms part of a broader EC$135 million rehabilitation project covering 40 kilometres of critical infrastructure, including the West Coast Road to Soufriere’s main bridge. Project Manager Amos Hippolyte emphasized that road safety was embedded in the project’s vision from the start. “This campaign was never an afterthought. From inception, it was recognised as integral to project success,” he said.
Minister King reaffirmed his mandate, launched in August 2021, to rebuild and reimagine Saint Lucia’s infrastructure for the 21st century—prioritizing safety, equity, and resilience.
Adding star power and community spirit to the launch were Olympic Champion Julien Alfred, well-known female cyclist Alenthia Arthur and celebrated soca icon and cultural practioner Ricky T, lent their voices to a movement that aims to save lives and transform road safety across the island.