Nine injured in overcrowded car in Central

Six children were among nine people seriously injured on Sunday after the overcrowded car they were in crashed in Central Trinidad.

Police are now warning drivers about carrying more people than their cars are designed to transport.

Sunday's accident left all the victims with serious injuries, including brain trauma, spinal and abdominal trauma, and multiple fractures. They were taken to hospital.

Couva police are investigating.

Police said in a release that 65 people have lost their lives in road accidents so far in 2020, compared to 90 for January-September 2019.

Overcrowding of a motor vehicle is an offence under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act and carries a fine of $1,000 and three demerit points.

The release said, "It is an extremely dangerous practice, that places the lives of both the passengers and driver at risk, as well as other road users...

"The vehicle involved in the accident, an AD Wagon, is licensed for five persons, including the driver and having an additional five persons places the occupants and other road users at extremely high risk, as evidenced by the multiple injuries sustained in the collision."

The excess weight caused by overcrowding can affect the vehicle's steering, suspension, and braking capability.

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"Nine injured in overcrowded car in Central"

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