By Zaya Williams

Antigua and Barbuda is experiencing a significant increase in the number of vehicles on its roads, with surprising data from the Transport Board indicating a disparity between licensed vehicles and drivers.

According to Josette Payne, Supervisor at the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board, there are currently over 45,000 licensed vehicles compared to approximately 25,000 licensed drivers.

This information, shared during an interview on Observer Radio, reveals a trend in vehicle ownership and registration.

As of December 2023, the country has seen a steady rise in licensed vehicles over the past few years, with 45,038 vehicles registered compared to 43,374 in 2021 and 44,275 in 2022.

Payne highlighted that this increase is not necessarily reflected in the number of licensed drivers, indicating that some businesses and individuals may own multiple vehicles.

The data underscores the growing presence of vehicles in Antigua and Barbuda, raising questions about infrastructure, the environmental impact and road safety.