Seatbelt violations topped the number of ticketed offenses recorded during an operation executed by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) on the sister island of Virgin Gorda, accounting for 44 of a total 70 tickets issued.
This is according to a media release from the RVIPF dated Monday October 25 which revealed that the operations also resulted in 25 persons being charged and two scooters being seized.
“In this operation last Thursday, persons driving without a seatbelt topped the list of violations with 44 ticketed; 11 persons were also ticketed for riding on or standing in the tray of a truck. Seven persons were ticketed for prohibitive tints while four others were ticketed for failing to display a taxi licence. Two scooters were seized during the operation,” the RVIPF stated.
Speaking following the success of the operation was Acting Sergeant within the Road Policing Unit Kishon Leslie who addressed a number of his concerns.
He said too many are still not adhering to the Seatbelt and Cellular Phone Regulations.
“The RVIPF may report of those that die or are seriously injured in traffic collisions. However, we rarely report on those who have to be flown off for further treatment and are in long-term hospitalization or those who are permanently disabled, lose their income, and quality of life. These cases go unreported but difficult lives none the same for too many after a serious accident,” he said.
The RVIPF also said the regulations under the Road Traffic Act are intended to reduce trauma to the body of persons driving or riding in vehicles in case there is a collision. The Act also is to protect pedestrians against drivers whose unfocussed attention while using a cellular can lead to their deaths.
The Virgin Gorda operation included officers from the Road Policing Unit, Armed Response Unit and Beat and Patrol Unit, and the Marine Unit.