PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake has already discussed with stakeholders such as the Traffic Department and Ministry VROMI to come up with solutions related to the Little Bay road intersection leading to Divi Little Bay Resort, which has been the scene of two accidents within a short space of time with one leading to a death.
Minister Lake along with traffic department officers, Ministry VROMI representatives and management from Divi Little Bay Resort paid a site visit on Monday morning to the Little Bay/Divi intersection to review the draft plans that were developed such as a temporary plan of action leading to a public/private partnership to make the intersection safer for motorists.
Some of the actions to be taken are: traffic stop signs to be installed; no left turn signage along with text and road marking lines while coming out of Divi Little Bay Resort unto the main road; no right turn from direction Belair to Divi Little Bay Resort; placement of speed reduction traffic signs, are some of the immediate measures to be taken. Hotel guests will be asked to drive down to Sonesta Great Bay Resort and turn around in that area and make the track back to Divi Little Bay Resort.
The long-term public/private partnership between the Government and Divi Little Bay Resort will be of an infrastructure nature to be worked on during the off season which entails the construction of a bypass details of which have to be further worked out.
"I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the road traffic fatality that took place on November 19 at the Little Bay/Divi intersection in connection with their loss. I also wish a speedy recovery to the driver of a scooter that had an accident on November 29 at the same intersection," Minister Lake said on Monday.
The Minister is also urging all motorists to drive with caution and to adhere to traffic signs and speed limits within the borders of the country.
Worldwide, an estimated 1.2 million people are killed in road crashes each year and as many as 50 million are injured. Projections indicate that these figures will increase by about 65 per cent over the next 20-years unless there is a new commitment to prevention.
"Every day around the world, more than 3000 people die from road traffic injury. Men, women, children, walking or biking, riding to school or work, will never return home leaving behind sadness within families and communities.
"I am appealing to all motorists this holiday season to pay keen attention to traffic signs/speed limits and observe these according to the traffic rules of the country. Pay keen attention to other motorists, the time to act is now.
"Road safety is no accident, watch out for bikers, scooter riders and those jogging. Don't rush to get to your destination, take your time and you will get there in a safe manner," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake appealed to motorists on Monday.
Road traffic injuries are a growing public health issue. Road traffic crashes and injuries are preventable according to a joint World Health Organization (WHO)/World Bank report entitled "World report on road traffic injury and prevention," that was compiled with the assistance of over 100 experts, from all continents and different sectors – including transport, engineering, health, police, education and civil society.
An established set of interventions have contributed to significant reductions in the incidence and impact of road traffic injuries. These include the enforcement of legislation to control speed and alcohol consumption, mandating the use of seatbelts and crash helmets, and the safer design and use of roads and vehicles, according to the aforementioned report.
A reduction in road traffic injuries can contribute to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) that aim to halve extreme poverty and significantly reduce child mortality.