By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterDEPUTY COMMISSIONER of Police (DCP) Tilford Johnson said yesterday that the police would be enforcing the closing hours of premises licensed to sell spirits as part of their zero tolerance strategy aimed at reducing the number of traffic accidents this festive season.
Last year, 390 persons were killed in 353 fatal motor vehicle accidents islandwide. Up to yesterday, this year's figures stood at 362 deaths from 326 fatal accidents.
"Places such as nightclubs and taverns will have to observe the closing hours specified in their spirit licence," said DCP Johnson.
Under the Spirit Licence Act, taverns shall be open between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on weekdays and on Sundays from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Retail houses are supposed to be open between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekdays.
The Act further states that the operators of taverns can apply for a special licence for a special occasion to sell alcoholic beverages up to midnight on any weekday.
During the Yuletide season, the police say they will be using breathalyser machines to detect the alcohol level of persons suspected of drinking and driving.
According to a report presented by analysts attached to the Police Traffic Department, the majority of accidents that have serious to fatal consequences occur mostly between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and midnight. The report also said that 60 per cent of the accidents involve drivers between the ages of 21 and 35.
MOST AT RISK
The categories of road users most at risk are pedestrians, motorcyclists, private motor car passengers and private motor car drivers. According to the report, the main cause of accidents are excessive speeding, dangerous driving, improper overtaking, disobeying stop lights and stop signs.
Motorcyclists, pillion passengers and other road users who continue to ignore the safety measures and breach the Road Traffic Act will also be targeted by the police.
DCP Johnson also said the commercial districts of the various towns have been flooded with additional police personnel to facilitate the shoppers. For example, in downtown Kingston, members of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) have been mandated to deal with the traffic congestion.
