(CNS): After more than two weeks of targeted traffic enforcement on several of Cayman’s major roads and hotspots, the first phase of the police road safety campaign, Operation Clyro, came to an end on Sunday. During the 16-day road safety campaign, officers issued over 1,000 tickets. Around 550 tickets were for speeding, over 160 of which were issued during the final weekend of the campaign.
“Speeding continues to be one of the most common traffic offences we prosecute, and speeding remains one of the main factors in serious collisions,” said Inspector Andrey Tahal of the Traffic and Roads Policing Unit. “If you’re running a bit late or travelling along what appears to be an open stretch of road, it may not seem like a big deal to push your speed a bit, but the consequences can be deadly.
“When speeding is combined with distracted driving or vehicles that are not roadworthy, the danger increases even further. That’s why it is important that we continue our efforts to deter such behaviour,” he warned.
Officers who appeared on Radio Cayman earlier this week said that in one case, a driver was caught doing 92mph in a 40mph zone. In another case, a driver was ticketed for doing 70mph in 25mph zone.
Motorists were also issued tickets for driving vehicles that did not have a licence or registration, driving vehicles with illegal levels of tint, using a mobile phone while driving, and having children in their vehicle who were not wearing seat belts. However, over the 16 days, only four people were arrested for DUI.
Chief Superintendent Brad Ebanks thanked the public for behaving responsibly overall during the Easter Holiday period. “The fact that there were no serious collisions or fatalities and a very low number of DUI prosecutions speaks volumes,” he said.
“Although this phase of Operation Clyro has ended, our traffic enforcement efforts continue, and we expect the public to continue to practice safe driving behaviours. Our aim is not simply to strive for high prosecution numbers, but rather to educate and deter persons from offending. However, those that do not comply can expect to encounter enforcement,” Ebanks added.
Operation Clyro formed part of the National Road Safety Strategy, “Safe Roads, Safe Cayman: The Road to Zero”, and was supported by the National Roads Authority, the Department of Vehicles and Drivers’ Licensing, and the Department of Communication.
