During the second week of Operation Safe Passage, the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) is once again reminding parents that your child’s welfare is your responsibility.
Parents, you are urged to be fully aware of the individuals you are hiring to transport your children to and from school.
Today’s operation was led by ag Insp Damien Mitchell and included Constables Dacliche
Clervil, Ronaldo Scafe and Raheem Watson and occurred in the vicinity of the Five Cays intersection.
Officers stopped two unlicensed public service vehicles operating school transportation. The drivers who were stopped during the operation claimed they were transporting relatives.
Both vehicles were found to be dangerously overcrowded, with children sitting on other children, no seat belts and seats over-assigned.
Their vehicles were impounded.
Under the Children (Care and Protection) Act 2020, officers have a mandatory duty to act in the best interest of the child. While parents are ultimately responsible for ensuring the safe passage of their children, the Force remains guided by the paramountcy principle of child welfare.
Additionally, under the Road Traffic Act 13:01 Section 45 (Loading and overcrowding vehicles) (3) No vehicle shall carry a greater number of persons than it is licensed to carry. (4) Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section commits an offence.
Officers also had cause to issue tickets for a range of offences, including obscene language, carrying more persons than licensed to carry, permitting a child under 14 for riding a vehicle without a seatbelt (in several instances, children were seated on the middle console of vehicles), failing to keep as far left as possible, and excessive tinting of windows.
A male driver who had been warned on numerous occasions last year to remove illegal window tints was again found in violation.
Each time officers previously stopped the vehicle and instructed the driver to remove the tints, darker tints were subsequently reinstalled. Today, that driver was issued a ticket for illegal tint.
The Force also wishes to remind the public that aggressive behavior, threatening language, cursing at police officers, or attempting to obstruct officers in the lawful execution of their duties are criminal offences and will result in charges.
We remain committed to safeguarding children and ensuring that all transportation operators comply with the law.
Parents are encouraged to verify that any person transporting their child is properly licensed and authorized.
Towing trucks were kept busy as the Police operation went into day two with twenty eight tickets issued.
