124 die in road accidents

“We continue to appeal to drivers and road users to practice safe responsible road use by firstly obeying the laws governing the roads and this should be regardless of the police being present, and secondly always be safe, alert and defensive in your approach to driving,” Rampath said yesterday at the weekly police press briefing at Police Administration Building in Port-of- Spain.

“It is in this context and against the back drop of the recent road traffic accident which resulted in multiple deaths. The TTPS is again taking this opportunity to remind all road users of the importance of their roles in road safety.” Rampath said that from yesterday, the Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch had commenced its traffic law enforcement plan for the Christmas into Carnival period and any breach of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, as well as the Highways and Motor Vehicle Insurance Act, will be dealt with.

He said the DUI Task Force and Speed Teams will be out in full force and have been given a mandate of zero tolerance; and a special roving operational unit working with officers’ from the Licensing Division will be conducting vehicle checks across the nation’s roadways with a special focus on large trucks and trailer units.

“For the year 2016, 10,233 tickets for speeding have been issued and 2,605 Driving Under Influence (DUI) arrests have been made.

Please have your driving documents in order including your valid driver’s permit, valid vehicle insurance and where applicable, ensure your vehicle has been inspected.

We will also take this opportunity to remind parents, especially, that children under five years must be secured in child safety seats and that it is an offence, not to have children safely secured, and this will be targeted by our officers,” Rampath said.