An astounding nine road traffic collisions were reported to police over the recent bank holiday weekend.
In response to the incidents, traffic officer Damian Mitchell has issued several safety tips for road users.
Mitchell explained that although all accidents cannot be avoided, there are a number of guidelines that can be followed to decrease the chances of them happening.
He encouraged road users to learn and watch the rules of the road so that there are no second guesses when driving.
“…you will be driving because you know how to drive and you can get to and from your destination safely, thus causing us to have a safer community and allowing our tourists and other visitors to enjoy this ‘Beautiful by Nature, Clean by Choice’ Turks and Caicos,” he said.
Mitchell explained that people have a major responsibility when they decide to take a vehicle on the road.
“You will not buy a machine and not have a manual for using it, so you must know how to use the road.
“If you do not know how to be on the road, you should not be on the road,” he said.
“You also have to ensure that your vehicle is properly safe to be on the road.”
“No one knows what happens under the hood of a vehicle when you drive it, these are man-made things so let us be guided by that,” Mitchell added.
Meanwhile, Police press officer Kevin Clarke provided some safety tips for road users, explaining that it is important to be distraction-free when on the road.
He encouraged the public to ensure that they use a pedestrian crossing when crossing the street.
He said: “To be more alert please avoid distractions such as headphones and texting while walking, especially at night.
“If you are at a pedestrian crossing, please make eye contact with the driver before crossing because sometimes you may be under the impression that the driver saw you, but sometimes they do not,” Clarke cautioned.
