By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterSENIOR SUPERINTENDENT Ealan Powell, head of the island's Police Traffic Division, yesterday urged motorists to exercise greater caution on the roads during the Yuletide season.
His appeal comes in the wake of yesterday's fatal motor vehicle accident in the Bog Walk gorge, St. Catherine, which left six persons dead.
"I am emphasising again that motorists need to adhere to the speed limit. Most of our fatal accidents this year are the result of excessive speeding," said SSP Powell.
Despite the magnitude of yesterday's accident, SSP Powell noted that there has been a significant reduction in the number of persons who have died in motor vehicle accidents this year. Between January and yesterday, police records showed that 284 persons were killed in 313 fatal accidents. For the corresponding period last year the figures were 379 deaths from 339 accidents.
Responding to questions about his plans to further reduce the carnage on the roads, SSP Powell said: "We have already flooded the highways with more police. Our presence on the streets has also been increased."
Paula-Ann Fletcher, executive director of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), yesterday said motorists need to obey the rules of the road and drive carefully.
