Gov’t takes steps towards ensuring public safety on roads

The government has taken proactive steps towards ensuring public safety on the roads.

On Wednesday, four legal experts from the Ministry of Legal Affairs were tasked with examining the existing Traffic Laws and the laws governing the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board (ABTB).

The aim is to identify areas where more authority can be given to law enforcement officials to reduce the number of traffic accidents in the country effectively.

It is no secret that traffic collisions can cause serious consequences such as loss of life, significant property damage, and severe injuries that often lead to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center (SLBMC) Emergency Operating Rooms being filled to capacity with injured drivers and passengers, especially on weekends and holidays.

The Cabinet has asked the legal team to gather data from various sources, including the Royal Police Force, the Transport Board, and SLBMC, to determine critical information such as the age group and gender of the drivers involved, the extent of speeding, the time and day of the accident, the make of the vehicle, and whether or not the drivers had proper insurance and valid licenses.

The collected data will be intelligently analyzed to identify the root cause of the accidents, and necessary amendments to the law will be made accordingly.

To further discourage reckless driving, the government has already passed a law mandating the use of breathalyzers to detect alcohol or other intoxicating substances in drivers suspected of driving under the influence.

This is a significant step towards ensuring the safety of all road users in Antigua and Barbuda.