Port of Spain city police: 537 cars wrecked since end of May

CITY police are urging drivers in and around Port of Spain to read traffic signs carefully, as they have noticed a slight increase in illegal parking.

Speaking to Newsday on July 24, acting Sgt Ravi Maharaj, supervisor of towing operations in the city, said since wrecking resumed on May 29, police have impounded 537 vehicles and issued 30 fixed-penalty notices.

"We operate within the city, and on Friday and Saturdays we operate in Woodbrook and St James."

Though wrecking in the capital is in full effect, Maharaj said he has seen more drivers disobey parking signs.

"A lot of people are not observing the signs.

"We have gotten an ease-up with motorists parking on taxi stands, but on St Vincent, Henry, Frederick and Abercromby Street people are disobeying."

During a city council meeting on May 28, Port of Spain mayor Chinua Alleyne said taxi drivers were "clamouring" for wrecking to restart, as their taxi stands had practically been turned into parking lots, preventing them from doing their jobs.

Alleyne said resuming wrecking was necessary as the city prepared for the rainy season.

"It is to ensure our main roadways into and out of the city remain as free as possible for the travelling public to get into and to leave the city."

He said emergency vehicles, in particular ambulances and fire tenders, must also be able to travel through the city.

Maharaj said the city police are meeting their goal of enforcing traffic laws and alleviating traffic congestion.

"We are seeing a difference and we are achieving our goal."

Maharaj warned drivers to pay attention to the traffic signs.

"Sometimes they are parked right by the sign and they just not paying attention to it.

"Pay more attention to the traffic regulations and signs, and everything will be ok."