With the rise in road traffic accidents in Dominica recently, the police say they will be increasing patrols on the E.O. Leblanc Highway and will be enforcing the use of seat belts
Head of the Traffic Department, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Robertson Laurent, told Dominica News Online (DNO) on Tuesday afternoon that the intention of the increased patrol is to prevent drivers from speeding.
“We have seen the increase, not only under the [Canefield] cliff, but the increase of accidents on the E.O. Leblanc Highway and so we think that measure can deter drivers …” he said.
Laurent noted the police will be enforcing the use of seat belts because there is a law for its use in Dominica.
“We will enforce that,” he noted. “We are advising people all along that they should wear their seat belts … it’s a road safety measure.”
When asked about the use of helmets by motorcycle riders, Laurent said vehicle and road traffic regulations make provision for the Minister of National Security to make regulations in relations to helmets, but this has not been done.
“At the moment the regulation has not been made but it is in the process,” he said.
Dominica was hit by a series of traffic accident in the last two weeks.
Officials say in Dominica traffic accidents is the leading cause of death among young people between the ages 15 and 24 and the third leading cause of death for persons between 25 and 44.
Better to be safe than sorry. Drivers are the ones to ensure their vehicles are road worthy. They should have an up-to-date valid license. In addition, all vehicles should be road worthy. If their license is invalid, their vehicles are inspected and they fail in this respect, pull them off the road and charge the drivers. Drivers usually have their license suspended until they can rectify this situation.
police dont even use their belts. patrol for what? to waste more tax payers dollars on gas for the huge v6 engines they like to think is theirs? or another excuse to go and check them lickle foolish woman that like police? either way it makes no sense. especially if i all tinted up and you dont even know who is driving. NONSENSE!
is it really safe when transport in Dominica have their FRONT windscreen tinted?? what law accepts even buses to have their front windscreen tinted.
I guess they are tinted to shield the driver’s vision from the bright sunlight. If it does not obstruct their vision, I would think it is OK. I have seen some cars with tinted windows. No one can see them from outside but they can see from inside. This is the manner in which they were manufactured and the preference of the purchasers.
lets look at the chain of events, we are in a culture where we drink excessively and drive sometimes we even drink with the same police that are paid to enforce traffic laws, we import very old vehicles because we cannot afford new or near new ones, because the total duties are in excess of 158 percent. there are many scooter riders with no insurance, licenses and even ride with marijuana spliff in their mouth while cutting through car drivers and those drivers cannot even call on them because they may be a victim of violence…
dominica cannot move forward in that regard because we are always competing to show who is more ignorant than the other.
Right on….and you forgot one more, road maintenance and repairs.
No respect for KEEP CLEAR and NO PARKING signs in Mahaut and the police vehicles pass offending vehicles straight. Yet the road already so narrow is reduced to one lane with drivers at both ends racing to get through the one lane first which is a potential head on collision. Towards the top of Canefield road to the airport where airport passengers and tour busses drive there is a roadside garage with a line of vehicles blocking one lane creating one lane traffic immediately after a short steep hill at one end with a blind bend a few yards away at the other end. A bus is constantly parked right on the bend. Its a S bend and just on the other end of the S vehicles park next to a furniture factory. There have been accidents there but it appears those who do this are DLP cucumbers so the police do nothing. These things are simple to solve but radio TALK and hype seems enough for a few weeks and then back to the same old ways when the talk dies
Boy, you are so right but even worse in Massacre! A blind bend before a bridge and people parking there willy nilly without regard for road safety. Does an accident have to happen before the authorities correct that?
These recent accidents are extremely sad ones and cause for concern. Every national has a right to be concerned and to do something about it, discuss it, complain about it and to the right authorities.
Lives have been lost; some badly injured and families are hurting and grieving. It affects them and they also suffer the consequences of those accidents.
It should be everyone’s concern. I reside far away and I am concerned. I wish there would be no accidents in Dominica and also where I presently reside. I am extremely careful. I fear accidents knowing what could be the result.
I am pleased that the police will increase patrols and ensure drivers wear their seat belts. If they are caught without them, they should be fined. This is one way of ensuring that for their safety they wear their seat belts. They will soon get accustomed. It will be like part of their dressing that they will automatically buckle up as soon as they enter their vehicle.
Practice makes perfect.
Drive safely. You may just live longer and with no impediment. This entails other drivers. Watch out for each other.
God bless drivers and keep them all safe including their passengers and pedestrians.
Ok, if the cops don’t have decent equipment to enforce traffic laws, I would suggest strategically placing decoy police vehicles at various frequent accident spots to slow folks down a bit…… Soon I am going to charge for this advice. LOL
The Police are suppose to set a example of good driving and sobriety, and as we all see, this is not the case. In other countries the Police drivers have better driver training and also try to stop Drinking and Dangerous Driving with the breathalyser, when will that happen here?
We need speed limit signs before you can prosecute for speeding! How will that work, some inebriate Police Officer telling the Magistrate “he was speeding yer Honor”. Driving here is very dangerous and many drive without insurance outside of Roseau as there are NO POLICE to check the roads.
Here is something to laugh about folks. I do hope you get my point after the joke. Police officer A pulls bus drive B for speeding and charges him. On court day police officer A tells the judge that Bus driver was speeding. Bus driver B per his lawyer says ” Officer A, how fast was my client driving? Officer: I cannot tell you how fast he was driving but I know he was speeding. Attorney: Officer, can you provide this honorable proof that my client was speeding? Officer: Your honor, I cannot but I know he was speeding. Attorney: Officer , what is the speed limit for the area where my client was charged for speeding? Officer: I don’t know but he was going fast we. Judge: So officer, you charged bus Driver B for speeding and you cannot tell this honorable court how fast he was driving and neither do you know the speed limit? Judge: Officer B, you have just embarrassed yourself here today because you DO NOT have a case. Officer: Well blame the PM cause he gave us no tools for the job
Lol point well taken sir.
spontaneous policing is the way forward …….no reacting for two weeks
Thank you, who don’t want to listen, will pay cause that might knock some common sense in some of those who think that break in the law is a joke. Let’s not just react but a sustained effort to send a clear message to those are responsible. It’s a Dam shame. Let’s stop this madness. We all in this together.
The Chinese donated Bikes?…can you guys put those to use?…or are you guys gonna keep blowing bubbles? Give those lazy bum cops something useful to do, stuuuupes!
I say the same thing everyday, let them Patrol. Too many officers sitting in the station getting ft or can be found in some rum bar even when they are on duty.
Our police officers need portable radios( not those little transistor radios the Chinese gave us), Computerized patrol vehicles so we can verify the registration of motor vehicles on our roads and more patrol vehicles. Our roadways must be saturated with police patrols to effectively curb the incidences of drunk driving, speeding especially in villages like Mahaut and Massacre and bikers riding without protective gear(HELMITS) to bring things under control. We must take back our streets one ticket at a time.
the police need common sense
I commend officer Laurent and his team on these new measures. That’s a positive way to go so let’s all encourage them as they try to make our roads safer. Just be positive people. I hope emphasis is placed on the scooters running the roads without license and insurance and using the number plates of other vehicles. These scooters are famous for frequenting the Goodwill area. Officers please help get rid of these nuisances.
The Police have the authority to enforce the traffic laws of the country and if laws need tweeking to provide coverage for a changing society then it should not take time to do so. Many drivers ignore the police and sometimes are complicit in breaking the laws aided and abetted by a small number of policemen and women. Take for example the laws regarding the noise from the scooters and roving discos whose owners believe that ordinary citizens must hear them and be entertained by them; can’t the police enforce these statutes and ensure that citizens can have peace in their homes and neighborhoods? What about those who ignore citations from the police and other authorities by breaking the laws regarding events that generate noise that frustrate citizens in their homes and neighborhoods? Thank God that there are some policemen and women who can take the initiative and enforce these laws while others offer lame excuses
As usual law enforcement in my beloved country is reactive not proactive. Public safety is apart of national security, yet public safety is virtually none existent in Dominica. There have been numerous “Ministers” of national security in Dominica who have all turned a blind eye to public safety. Lack of enforcement , political intervention in simple police matters, lack of modern equipment and an outdated training module for our police officers not forgetting antiquated colonial era laws have all contributed to our present day situation. We have dedicated men and women in our police service who are frustrated by the system on a daily basis. Where are our speed limit signs? Can you imagine a major artery (,highway) with absolutely no speed limit signs from north to south? Mr. Minister of National security please take note. the ball is in your court. You can play to win or we will all lose.
90 % of ppl dont wear seat belts..maybe even more than 90%…. then speed limits…. apart from 30 inside the city wat exactly are the speed limits?? do we actually have speed limits???? How do u prove that somone is speeding wjen there are no equipment to do so??
Exactly! You can’t! Unless of course you’re driving directly behind them and gauge your own speed limit in relation to their’s.
But I also believe that just the presence of the officers will be a deterrent for potential speeders…
In conjunction with enforcement, start teaching road safety courses from Kindergarten through high school. Every new driver should be mandated to participate in a “Road Safety Course,” before they are issued with a driver’s license.
Ultimately, we want every citizen to become an active participants in their own safety and well being.
Motor cyclist should be mandated to wear helmets. The fact that this ordinance/law has not been enacted is wanting. How many more decades and how many more lives must be lost before this simple ordinance is passed and enforced?
An island should be added underneath the Canefield Cliff. Rubber dividers are inexpensive and they will help curb “Dangerous Overtaking” in that area. In the event that there’s an emergency, motorist could simply driver over these dividers when necessary.
Finally, police officers need to be visible daily and on weekends. This must be a sustained approach.
Accidents happens all the time even where it is least expected, but the rate can be controled if the governments impliments certain rules and regulations for the Drivers. for e.g checking of vehicles to be certain if they are in condition to be on the road, police check at different points making control to see if the drivers are indeed licened drivers, check for insurance and also if they are not driving under the influence of Alcohol. Last but not least putting in place speed limits and see to it that they are respected. Seat belts aslo should be checked. Drivers should bear in mind not only driving for their security and passengers etc, but also for the security of the other road users like the pedestrians. These steps for sure won’t put and end to accidents, but my belief is, it will control the number of accidents. One more thing putting laws is good, but making sure they are being respected is the key. Law breakers should be punished to set examples.
Seatbelts do save life’s; however, under normal circumstances. The accidents we experienced in Dominica over the past weeks, I doubt a seatbelt could have done much to prevent the death of Williams from the village of Wesley!
As long as Dominicans continue to drive as idiots, like bats flying out of hell, going nowhere on those narrow, mountainous roads; most of the time under the influence of alcohol; accidents as these will never cease. If the seatbelt law is enforced; without a speed limit, and drunk driving law, enforcement of the seatbelt law means nothing, because without drunk driving, and speeding seatbelt might not be necessary.
I personally got into many accidents, rear ended, and hit sideways too, and never once my airbags deployed, and each time people ran into me I was not buckled up!
No one is to be blamed than the DRIVERS themselves. No matter what is put in place if the drivers don’t discipline themselves those useless accidents will still happen.
My friend, do you think Dominicans refrain from walking around shooting anyone who piss them off just because they are disciplined? No! No society is shaped by people simply disciplining themselves. The word “discipline” itself means to learn…we have to TEACH and REINFORCE the behaviors we want in our society.
We really seem to have forgotten the purpose of a government in Dominica. They are there primarily to understand what the people want and then put policies and plans in place to achieve them. The longer we keep blaming each other and expecting everyone to simultaneously do better, the longer we’ll keep dealing with senseless and avoidable crimes and victims.
So, you went from The Facts, to New Kid On The Block, to simply Kid On the Block now!
Anyway, it matters not who you are, be informed enforcement of citing drivers for not wearing seatbelt is not going to help. What about the passengers who ride without seatbelts? Dominicans like to call the Vans they ride in Buses, but the fact is I have never seen a real Buss; passenger buss with seatbelts installed anywhere in Europe, Canada, or the United States.
The police need to concentrate on speeding drivers, because speeding is the cause of the accidents, Dominica police have not yet heard of Radar, and Laser Detectors used for monitoring how fast a vehicle is traveling?
Once one focuses a Laser Detector on a moving target, and it records how fast the driver is going there is no denial, we need to modernize rather than talking the same old crap everyday! Police vehicles should be equip with such instruments.
Telemaque, New Kid On The Block is not me. OK! I do not plan to change the name I use, at least for now.
“Once one focuses a Laser Detector on a moving target, and it records how fast the driver is going there is no denial, we need to modernize rather than talking the same old crap everyday! Police vehicles should be equip with such instruments.”
Those sorts of instruments need to be frequently recalibrated competently and used in precise ways by trained operators. Do we expect that to happen? Unless so, they will lead to false testimony against motorists and do more harm than good.
“Those sorts of instruments need to be frequently recalibrated competently and used in precise ways by trained operators.”(Steve)
Steve, it is mandatory that police departments Laser, and Radar speed detectors be calibrated at least once per year. In this country, when a police issue a citation to someone detected speeding, when you appear in court, on the day of the trial, the police is compelled to present the certificate to the judge, or magistrate proving the last date the instrument was calibrated you see.
On the other hand such instrument are so simply to operate, anybody can use it. I have serviced many when worked in the electronic industry.
I can tell you it is easy for a Radar to error however, there can be no error once you are hit by a Laser beam. The Radar will detect the largest objects, whereas the smaller might be the offender, moving in the same direction as the lager object. Can’t explain it properly, writing space limited.
Good job to Head of the Traffic Department, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Robertson Laurent, But let me ask you please to continue this and not only in certain areas but everywhere. I don’t mean to be negative but sometimes I find we take action only for a season. This seat belt law has been in effect for over 15 years and nothing has been done. Driver and passengers should wear seatbelts.
If a police officer sees a driver without a seat belt he should stop them , ask for their drivers license ( hopefully he has one, if he doesn’t, ask him/her to get off the vehicle) If he has one and has no seat belt then charge them ( a hefty fine). Charge drivers for passengers under 18 with no seat belt, over 18 years old let the passengers pay up.
I hope their is a law for wearing helmets too. Too many bikers without them.
And, Educate, educate, educate. Let persons know the benefits of wearing seatbelts and the dangers of not wearing them. Put the officers to work.
This country is just in a TOTAL MESS!! It’s disgusting
A country by itself cannot do a thing. People make up a country. Would it be the country or some of the people who contribute to a total mess? Think about that.
When you made such a comment, did you consider yourself? What have you done and what are you doing or plan to do for your country to take it out of the mess you assumed it is in?
In Nov. 213 China donated 90 motorcycles to the Dominica police force. Where are they,what are they used for? To me they would be ideal for highway patrols so how come it is rare to see a police man riding one in the line of duty?
PS. And what happened to the extra-special 250 pairs of sunglasses that came with them?
getting people to wear seatbelts not goign to stop accidents when no one on the country seem to know the rules of the road when driving or even how to drive properly
I heard a police delegation on Matt’s programme two days back saying buses should stop 60 ft. away from a pedestrian crossing. That is good advice but how come a bus stop is built right on a pedestrian crossing like in Fond Cole, across from where they chop up that fish to sell? Is that illegal or just plain stupid? Another thing is how does a visitor know what is a one-way street in Roseau when there are no signs saying so? Could one get prosecuted for innocently going up that street the wrong way? We have a lot of work to do.
That same inane situation pertains to the bus stop by Harris paint, right there next to a pedestrian crossing!. Who thought of that? Is it the responsibility of the local authority, the oracle of Canefield, the police or the Minister of public works? I don;t know but it is stupid and dangerous.
It would be good to see the Insurance Industry teaming up with the Police and offer assistance, such as monetary, in this initiative. After all, these accidents results in the insurance companies paying out a lot of money for claims.
Who says all these people are insured? I think that is part of the problem and it would be beneficial for insurance companies to work with the police to ensure everybody has insurance as they should.
Sad country so the idots that ride without helmits will continue to perish,SMH
Why should there be a law to tell you that you must wear a helmet? Wearing a helmet does not make you a better rider it just protects your head. Whereas it is advisable to wear a helmet for protection it is not important to the safe handling of a motor cycle. In the US where there are millions of motor cycles many states don’t have a helmet laws and in states that have there is strong resistance.
The helmet is a protective gear. When they get into an accident, they could land right on their heads or if a vehicle hits them it could be right on their faces and heads. They could end up under the vehicle or the impact could cause them to fly over the vehicle and get hit by more than one.
Early summer 2014 or in spring of that year, there were many motorcycle accidents and deaths. By the time summer rolled around with warmer weather and later, there were more.
Generally, some drivers are careless. The government must pass some Laws for the protection of its nationals.
Toronto has all sorts of Laws and we are obligated to adhere to them. Otherwise bear the consequences. They are enforced and the police will spare no one. The Law is the Law and must be obeyed for our own protection, each member of society.
I am a disciplined person. I treasure my life, health and safety and so the road regulation Law does not bother me. I am pleased about it.
learn to spell grell
The police department and government just keep reacting in a too show too flam manner instead of being proactive.”Head of the Traffic Department, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Robertson Laurent, told DNO on Tuesday afternoon that the intention of the increased patrol is to prevent drivers from speeding.” Mr. Laurent, before sending police out there please answer the following: 1. What is the posted speed limit on the EO Leblanc Highway? 2.If there is no speed limit sign, how will a driver know if he is speeding, and on what basis will the police charge him? 3. How equipped are the police to know when a person is speeding? I mean do they have Rader guns to clock your speed or are they just going to make fools of themselves by charging people based on assumption? 4. What about getting the government to supply your boys with the necessary equipment for the job? What about ensuring motorists are not drunk? What about the use of cell phone while driving? You guys are not ready yet
So true, how can you tell me I was speeding when there is no speed limit? Not even in school zones I see speed limit posted.
The speed limit in Dominica is 40 mph. for major roads , down to 15 mph. in residential areas. Use discretion on minor roads. we were taught properly (highway code) we would all know that.
Is there speed limit on highways?all you have to do is move with the speeding crowd?
@Titiwi, If you are correct to say “The speed limit in Dominica is 40 mph. for major roads , down to 15 mph.” and “we were taught properly” then how will a visitor who does not see speed limit signs posted know the speed limit? Furthermore, when was such speed limit established? Did we have highway as yet? There is no way the sped limit on a highway the same as that of a major road. Otherwise there is no need to call one a high way and the other major road.
So, the powers that be had a 3-lane road built under the cliffs,, then wonder why there are accidents and deaths We used to call that the suicide lane many years ago.
what happen u stupid man NO 3 LANE ROAD WAS EVER BUILT ON THE ISLAND THE ROAD UNDER THE CANEFIELD CLIFF WAS BUILT AND MARKED AS A NORMAL 2 LANE ROAD ITS JUST DOMINICANS THAT DOIGN WHAT THEY WANT ON THE ROAD AND IGNORING CORRECT DRIVING PROCEJURES
You too sought. There is no three land road. There are two lanes and shoulders
Sorry my friend bu the road under the cliffs is a 2- lane road, not a 3- lane one. The govt. minister had originally planned for 3 lanes but he saw sense. Still you are allowed to overtake where there is an interrupted yellow line, provided it is safe for you to do so. I suspect many drivers overtake anyway, regardless whether it is safe or not plus the road is wide and rather straight tempting people to speed.
Road traffic regulations make provision for the Minister of National Security to make regulations in relations to helmets, BUT THIS HAS NOT BEEN DONE. Mr. Minister you waited all that time for something of that magnitude to happen without speeding up the process to enact the required legislation. I guess these regulations still have not been completed and cannot even go to parliament when it comes around soon….
its about time!!!!
lol look kix people will still speed because you have no proof to tell me how fast I was going, lol, no speed camers oh wait, you cannot use video/cameras in the court as evidence, (caribbean’s biggest joke)
Yes you can use video evidence in court since May 2010.
http://www.dominica.gov.dm/laws/2010/Electronic%20Evidence%20no.%2013.pdf
Electronic Evidence Act 2010
3. Nothing in the rules of evidence shall apply to deny the admissibility of an electronic record in evidence on the sole ground that it is an electronic record.
2. In this Act,
“data” means representations, in any form, of information or concepts;
“electronic record” means data that is recorded or stored on any medium in or by a computer system or other similar device and that can be read or perceived by a person or a computer system or other similar device and includes a display, print out or other output of that data.
Thank you for making that clear. Too may people in Dominica still believe that electronic evidence is not admissible.
I hope this is not jut window dressing. I do hope they keep enforcing the law so that it becomes second nature to drivers and passengers.
Yes and as soon as the drivers noticed the police they decrease their speed. It happens right here in Ontario. They will say, “Oops! There is the police.” They also do not know if undercover police officers are in the area. They are fortunate if they are not caught. You see, the police cannot have their eyes on every vehicle. Some of us wish the police would catch them.
One afternoon I was crossing the street near where I reside which is a four-way intersection with heavy traffic. I waited for the street lights to turn. Prior to this some vehicles had right of way to turn. When the lights changed, two drivers drove through and ran the light. I was annoyed and looked at them. Fortunately a police officer was in his vehicle on the opposite side. I made a sign to the police to go after them. He saw them. The police went after them. He could only catch one driver. You bet that person got a ticket. If he had previous infractions, the cost would be higher.
I commend the police for trying to resolve this problem. I think that best way to alleviate the rise of drivers speeding is the ministry responsible for roads needs to invest in road safety devices . Firstly road signs with speed limit need to be installed on the highways. Secondly speed cameras need to be installed on lamppost. The police need to be stationed at various sites with laser gun to record the speed of drivers and then be pulled over and ticketed. A road safety hand book must be read. And drivers need to take a written exam to ensure they understand road signs and road safety. Dominica has done quite well in terms of development but we are behind in road technology devices.
Please make sure the riders use their helmets even more so. It should be made compulsory in Dominica
It’s about time. However, more should be done, including inspection of vehicles driving on bald tires, mechanical and suspension problems. And most importantly, enforcement.
Seatbelt infractions, speeding, drunk driving and over-taking at inappropriate places should carry steep fines and penalties. After two such infractions in one year the driver’s license should suspended for six months. Repeat offenders should lose their license and sentenced to jail for a period not less than three months.
and like almost every other traffic law in Dominica is only for a time.
Good.click it or ticket
When it rhymes, you know it must be good public policy.
OH Please
All you guys gonna do is patrol for a week or two and then get back to the way things use to be?
Give me a break
No, radar speed guns will reduce incidences of speeding. For less than us$100 each!
Patrols to enforce seat belts are good, but they should be backed up by fines.
Of course, otherwise the exercise is entirely pointless. Some Dominicans can only be educated when it hurts their wallet. Sad but true.
That is a good initiative and long overdue. Whilst they are doing that I hope they will also check that the vehicles they stop are insured and have a valid road tax license. A crack down on motorcyclists is also overdue with random stops and checking of appropriate paperwork – vehicles to be impounded if docs. can not be produced, particularly title of ownership and insurance.
So you will be increasing patrols on the O.E. Leblanc highway. What about other parts of the island? Clearly no accidents and dangerous driving occurs there!? You talking about enforcing current seatbelt laws. Very good. What about enforcing current laws regarding road worthiness of vehicles, driving without valid insurance and license. What about driving with tires that have thread below the legal requirement.
Yes man, and what about these crappy old trucks that have no rear lights or indicators or pulling trailers with an old U.S. license plate or such poor tires they have to be held in place on their rims with plastic bags? That whole truck business is a racket, a lethal racket. Are police afraid to stick their nose into that?