Tobago drivers urged: Slow down

Sgt Kathlyn Sterlin of the Scarborough Traffic Unit has blamed speeding for the number of accidents and road deaths in Tobago.

In an interview with Newsday, Sterling pleaded with the public to take precautions on the road.

Her plea comes after a number of accidents in the last few days. Two teens were badly injured in an accident on Sunday, when the teenage driver's leg was severed in the crash. Around 1.15 am fire officials responded to a an accident near Signal Hill traffic lights involving Trevon Bonas, 18, and Teresal Walker, 16, of Castara.

Bonas lost his left leg when his Mazda 323 van crashed into a metal railing and landed in a ditch.

Doctors are trying to save one of Walker’s legs, which was badly damaged. Scarborough police said Walker is at the Scarborough Hospital in a stable condition, but is expected to be flown to Trinidad for surgery by the end of this week.

On Tuesday night, Keon Lewis of Mt St George was killed in a collision with a white panel van. Lewis was driving his Nissan Navarra along Silk Cotton Trace when he collided with the van. He suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital but died on the way.

Speaking to Newsday on Wednesday morning, Sterling said, “I am asking all motorists to adhere to the speed limit on the roadways and be aware of the road conditions, because there are times when the roadway might be wet and the drivers must ensure they proceed at a speed to avoid any accidents.”

She said the Traffic Unit has been trying to encourage drivers to follow the law by using speed guns and doing breathalyser tests.

"We issue approximately 25 to 30 speed tickets a week, within five speed exercises throughout the island,” she said.

The police did speeds tests sometimes two to three times a week, but somehow people would know when the speed exercises are taking place and stayed within the speed limit. Most of the accidents took place at night when there were not many speed tests, she said.

“There are times when there’s an influx of visitors on this island during peak season, we do have a lot of speeding and accidents around that time. We have more persons drinking, so I am advising the public to be vigilant with the DUI (driving under the influence) and speed exercises.”