EASTER CRACKDOWN ON MOTORISTS

A Good Friday islandwide traffic exercise yesterday resulted in scores of tickets being issued to errant motorists. Motorists were surprised by the heavy presence of several police officers along the various main roads and highways of the country yesterday — Good Friday. The officers were carrying out speed checks and checks for other offences.  Their presence  sent a clear message to motorists to be more considerate when driving on the nation’s roads. Despite warnings from the police at a media conference on Wednesday, only two days later — on Good Friday — a total of 174 motorists were caught speeding yesterday in Trinidad.

Figures released by Asst Commissioner of Police Nazamul Hosein (ACP Mobile) showed 73 held in Port-of-Spain; Eastern Division, 26; Churchill-Roosevelt High-way, Arima, 21; Solomon Hochoy Highway, Freeport, 25, and the Southern Highway, 29 — all charged with speeding. ACP Hosein said the exercise will continue throughout the weekend. The police officers were seen in their numbers at Eastern Main Road, Valencia, issuing tickets to drivers exceeding the speed limit  along the Valencia Stretch into Sangre Grande. The officers were led by Snr Supt Farouk Ghany and included Cpls Monesh Baran, John Skeete and PCs Soodeen, Balkaran, Samaroo, Bhagan, Narine, James and others.

Thirty traffic tickets were issued by 9.30 am. At various points along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway — in the vicinity of  Bestcrete, Mausica, El Socorro and Sea Lots and on Wrightson Road police officers were seen carrying out their duties with dedication, ensuring that over the long Easter weekend, everyone enjoyed a safe and contented holiday with little or no accidents. When Newsday contacted Police Commissioner Everald Snaggs who is on vacation leave, he said he was happy to know that his officers were out in full force on the nation’s roads maintaining and ensuring the safety of everyone.

He added that the designated Highway Patrol System has been very effective and is working effectively. “At nights I can say that motorists and the travelling public can breathe a sigh of relief and security with the sight of highway patrol vehicles crossing at various points on the roads at regular intervals.” He made a special appeal to the public to cooperate with officers  to ensure a safe and happy Easter for the nation.