Superintendent of Police with responsibility for traffic, Dion Moore, has disclosed that road fatalities have increased by 21 per cent. He made these comments at Monday’s launch of Road Safety Month.
Traffic Chief Deon Moore
Moore explained that with the recent death of two persons at Moblissa, Linden/Soesdyke Highway, total fatal accidents are up to 99 incidents where 109 persons have lost their lives for the year thus far. He also noted that this represents a 21 per cent increase in fatal accidents compared with the same period in 2015.
“When compared to the same period last year we have had 82 accidents and 96 deaths [which] give us a 21 per cent increase in fatal accidents and a 14 per cent increase in deaths…it is unacceptable,” the Traffic Chief noted.
He however added that the multi-stakeholder approach employed under the Operation Safeway Programme saw a reduction from mid-September to present.
“At mid of September, we realised that we were at a 33 per cent increase in fatal accidents and a 17 per cent increase in deaths. With Operation Safeway, from the 15th of September to date, we’ve realised that we have had a decrease in accidents and well as a decrease in deaths.”
He noted that this reduction was only seen through support from the public. He added that his department will continue to work to ensure the public comply with all of requisite road laws.
Updating the public on other figures, the Traffic Chief disclosed that for the year so far 59,695 drivers were charged for various offences, compared with last year’s 47,911. He reasoned that his uptick is attributed the work of Operation Safeway.
