RCIPS PROMOTES ROAD SAFETY WITH OPERATION QUAKER

A spate of traffic accidents last weekend has underlined the need for police to intensify their educational campaigns and enforcement measures.

24 motor-vehicle collisions were recorded last weekend alone, including a collision with serious injuries.

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) says under its Operation Quaker, drivers can expect to see more high visibility patrols and vehicle checkpoints especially targeting speeding and drunk driving.

DUI (driving under the influence/drunk driving) and speeding remain the main focus in the ongoing campaign.

"We hope that through our continued educational campaigns and enforcement operations, we will see fundamental changes in driving behavior across the Cayman Islands," says Chief Inspector Kay, "With the preservation of life being our primary focus, we will continue to persist in our road safety efforts, thus 'Making the Cayman Islands Safer.'"

The RCIPS reports that its joint operations with the National Roads Authority this past weekend included road safety messages in various key locations on their digital billboards across the Cayman Islands.

Traffic enforcement efforts resulted in officers arresting 11 persons for driving under the influence of alcohol and issuing over 50 traffic tickets, the majority of which were for speeding.

Cayman Brac and Little Cayman also came on-board with the operation, increased their enforcements, resulting in a number of prosecutions.

Despite these efforts however, the RCIPS says there were 24 motor-vehicle collisions recorded over the weekend, including one collision with serious injuries.

At about 2:45AM on Sunday, 20 June, officers responded to a report of a collision at the intersection of Shamrock Road and Beach Bay Road where a silver Honda Accord wagon had left the roadway and collided with a tree. Emergency services attended the location and both occupants of the vehicle were transported to the Cayman Islands Hospital to be treated for what appear to be serious but non-life-threatening injuries. They remain in hospital in stable condition.

"Collisions like this are the reason we will not be letting up on our Operation Quaker activities anytime soon," says Inspector Dwayne Jones.

"While we are pleased with the enforcement results this past weekend, we want the public to remember that even a single instance of poor driving behaviour can lead to tragedy. As always, we ask the public to do their part and drive safely."