RCIPS Launches Traffic Enforcement Campaign, Operation Quakers

Beginning this weekend, 28-30 May, the RCIPS will be conducting a targeted road safety and enforcement campaign. Operation Quakers, will focus on curbing reckless and dangerous driving behaviours over the weekends when the worst incidents have been occurring.

Operation Quakers will consist of increased police presence and traffic enforcement during key hours, including speeding enforcement at various locations, vehicle checkpoints, and high-visibility patrols. The public should be aware that police officers will be prosecuting all traffic offenses, particularly DUI and speeding, throughout the weekends.

"Our most recent fatal collisions have all taken place during weekend hours and have involved persons speeding, driving under the influence, or both," says Acting Superintendent Brad Ebanks, head of Uniform Operations. "This has made it clear that a more targeted approach to our traffic offences is needed, in order to reinforce the message that drunk driving and excessive speeding are unacceptable on Cayman's roads. Drunk driving is everyone's business, we encourage members of the public to immediately report any driver who they suspect to be driving under the influence by calling 9-1-1."

"When someone loses their life as a result of a fatal collision, speeding and/or driving under the influence are almost always a contributing factor," says Inspector Dwayne Jones, head of the Traffic & Roads Policing Unit. "Cracking down on these offenses is essential to making our roads safer, so that all road users can return home safe to their families."

The public is reminded that the legal blood-alcohol limit in the Cayman Islands is 0.100%. If you are breath-tested and found to have a blood-alcohol content at or exceeding this amount you will be subject to arrest. Upon conviction you are liable to a fine of $1,000, and will lose your driver's license for a minimum period of 12 months. The penalties increase if you have previous DUI convictions.

The penalty for speeding is a fine of $20 for every mile per hour over the speed limit you are found to be travelling. If the total fine exceeds $500 dollars, you will have to attend court, and, on conviction you are liable to have your license suspended for a minimum of 12 months, along with the fine.

"Not only do these offenses risk your life and the lives of those around you, they also carry stiff penalties when you are caught," says Chief Inspector Malcolm Kay of Specialist Operations. "More importantly, if you are the cause of a fatal or serious collision, your life will be permanently affected from almost every perspective. We appeal to everyone to slow down and not to drink and drive - don't put yourself in a position where you have to face the consequences."