The police have said they believe that the ‘Arrive Alive Campaign’, road blocks and spot checks may have contributed significantly towards the reduction in road accidents and fatalities this past festive season.
From December 31, 2016 until Tuesday January 3, 2017 a total number of 22 accidents were reported to the police. Almost the same number of cases, 23 to be exact, was recorded during the Christmas season.
Only one case of serious casualty was recorded during the New Year period whereby a 19-year-old male from Roche Caiman is still admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following a scooter accident on the main road near the airport.
Out of the total number of accidents during that period, excluding the victim admitted in the ICU, five people received medical attention and released.
Only two drivers involved in the total number of accidents were tested with alcohol content in their body over the prescribed limit.
No cases of fatal accidents were recorded during the Christmas and New Year period compared to one case on New Year’s Eve in 2015 which claimed two young lives.
The police would like to acknowledge and profusely thank all stakeholders, partners and public in general for their participation and contribution in the ‘Arrive Alive’ campaign.
However, statistics recorded for accidents in general in 2016 have shown an increase of 12.4 % – from 1956 cases in 2015 to 2199 cases in 2016, hence a record of 243 cases more.
Consequently, an increase in the number of fatal accidents has also been recorded – from 12 cases in 2015 to a total number of 15 cases in 2016.
The stretch of road from Bois the Rose to the airport (highway) remains the road where most serious and fatal accidents took place in 2016. The Central region also remains the region whereby the highest number of accidents was recorded in 2016 followed by Mont Fleuri, Anse Aux Pins, Beau Vallon and Anse Royale respectively.
There are different factors which could have contributed to the increase in accidents in 2016 compared to 2015 such as, increase in the number of motor vehicles on the roads, irresponsibility on behalf of both drivers as well as pedestrians, negligence, driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, among many others.
For that matter the police and other concerned parties are calling on each and every road user to exercise more responsibility and caution while on the road so as to help reduce both the number of fatalities and accidents in general.
