The National Council for Public Transportation (NCOPT)Vice President, Peter Richard says penalties such as heavier fines and the suspension or revocation of drivers license for certain traffic offences will reduce the number of fatal vehicular accidents on our roads.
He was responding to recent comments by Prime Minister, Phillip J. Pierre earlier this week, reminding the public that he has invested heavily in the Royal St. Lucia Police Force and will continue to do so.
According to Richard, a former police officer, sometimes those resources invested in the police force are not effectively utilized.
“I don’t think investing in the police force in the manner it is being done will reduce road fatalities,” Richard said in an interview with this reporter.
He said the penalties for certain traffic offences are not severe enough to deter reckless driving on our roads.
“Those reckless young motorists, who like to drive more than anything else in the world, will think twice before driving recklessly, when they know they are likely to have their license revoked, if they are found guilty for certain traffic offences,” Richard said.
According to him, the flagrant violation of the traffic regulations, are sometimes done in the presence of the police.
He said as a mini bus driver, he has had caused to maneuver his vehicle in a way to avoid serious accidents.
Richard said many young drivers drive at break neck speed, weaving in and out of traffic at high speed.
“If drastic measures are not taken by the authorities the carnage on our roads will continue,” he added.
He identified the Bexon highway as one of the areas where the police need to be patrolling very often, adding that they are not seen patrolling the streets in the evening.
According to him, the authorities need to take a proactive approach, rather than a reactive one to deal with this chronic issue.