Between Monday, 17th and Thursday, 20th January 2011, two digital displays were placed at different points between West Farm and Camps and on Friday, 21st January, 2011, they were mounted along the F. T. Williams Highway.
Head of the Traffic Department, Inspector Cromwell Henry, in an exclusive interview with MiyVue.com, explained that the apparatuses were installed, “To assist in the reminding of drivers of the need to reduce their speed. They provide for a display of the speed of the drivers approaching the sign, while showing the maximum speed at which they should be driving.”
The Traffic Department head explained that the apparatus is basically a larger version of what the traffic officers use in their vehicles to monitor the speed of motorists.
The expectation, Henry explained, by use of this equipment is that, “If a driver realises that he is over the speed limit, he would reduce his speed within the limit. This is all part of the department’s effort to prevent accidents as we recognise that speed is the major contributing factor to serious injuries and death in road accidents. We also recognise that reducing the speeds also reduces the risk of accidents and the severity of the accident in terms of the amount of damage to property.”
Underscoring the importance of use of such instruments as a means of reminding motorists to observe prescribed speed limits, Henry noted that the risk of accident is increased as velocity increases. It is against this premise that the Inspector informed that between 2006 and 2010, 664 accidents were slight, 125 were serious and 22 resulted in fatality.
He indicated that the department will continue to fulfil its role of educating the public on traffic safety but noted that the public has an obligation to heed the department’s messages and warnings.
The equipment, according to Henry, was first used in St. Kitts on the eastern end of the F. T. Williams Highway when it was newly opened and this occasion marks the second.
“There are currently two which are attached to the Traffic Department in Nevis and from time to time, they are brought to St. Kitts to assist in our road-policing programme. We are seeking to acquire more of these devices so there can be a permanent presence in St. Kitts.”
Inspector Henry informed that with the use of the equipment, seven speeding tickets have been issued to persons who were traveling above the prescribed speed limit.