Christmas crackdown on drunk drivers begins
(CNS): The police have begun the annual holiday safety campaign with a focus on drunk drivers and reducing road crashes. The first of many traffic operations that will be the cornerstone of the campaign took place on the West Bay Road Wednesday, with a boosted Traffic Management Unit. Several officers from the Special Constabulary have been trained in traffic enforcement and they will be joining in the Christmas crackdown to help man the increase in road blocks over the next month until 3 January.
As well as trying to cut the significant number of smashes on Cayman’s roads and deter people who have been drinking booze from getting behind the wheel, the seasonal police operations will also raise awareness about and try to prevent fraud and burglary during the time of increased consumer spending.
“Our intention is to make everyone’s December as safe and crime-free as possible, so that the season can be enjoyed,” said Derek Byrne, the new commissioner of police. “But since this time of year usually brings with it increased drinking and spending, there are always some risks to be managed.”
With more than 2,200 crashes where police attended on the roads last year and more than 2,400 already this year, with 128 drivers charged with DUI, police are promising a much more targeted approach.
“We are employing some different tactics in order to increase the effectiveness of our traffic stops,” said Inspector Ian Yearwood, Head of the Traffic Management Unit. “There is a very good chance that those who think they can just avoid them somehow will have a hard time doing so. The better option is to just have a designated driver and not drink and drive.”
The penalty for driving under the influence is disqualification from driving for at least one year, with an increased period of disqualification up to five years depending on the level of intoxication when the offending driver was stopped.
“Our point here is not to ruin someone’s Christmas with a DUI,” said Chris Duggan, Commandant of the Special Constabulary that will be helping out. “We just ask that people really think about the consequences before getting behind the wheel – the risk is not worth it.”
Police said they are also collaborating with the Cayman Islands Motorcycle Riders Association to promote a public safety announcement on the dangers of drunk driving, which will be released on 15 December in collaboration with the local cinema.
RCIPS officers will also be making media appearances throughout the month to provide crime prevention tips on fraud prevention and home and business security as Christmas creates opportunities for criminals, especially in the online environment.
Category: Crime, Crime Prevention
It’s ridiculous that this is even a news story. The police should be monitoring the roads at night, every night, all year around. Not just at Christmas!! There should also be a night bus that go around the island every half hour up until about an hour after the clubs close on the busy nights. People will happily pay $5 each for that service and I guarantee that you will see a decrease in the amount of drunk drivers. It’s a business opportunity so I’m really surprised that nobody has invested in it yet. I can’t as I’m on a work permit but I tell you that if I had status then absolutely I would invest it in. Creating jobs and decreasing accidents.
Stay safe this Christmas folks.
It is ridiculously easy to drive home drunk in Cayman. My boss has been doing it for years after every xmas party, and even brags about it.
RCIP this should be done on a regular basis not just during the holidays. We need you to do your job 365 days of the year and drivers please do your part don’t drink & drive, don’t speed, don’t use your cell phone while driving and for ‘Heavens sake don’t overtake”!
RCIPS, just thought you would like to know that when you set up your road blocks at Savannah Meadows, the majority, if not all the people with something to hide drive around you using the back roads they can access from Countryside.
Crack down! Crack down!
CRACK down
Why does police not regularly walk the bigger parking lots on Island to issue tickets for window tint offenses, missing license plates, expired registration, illegal parking in handicapped spots etc? I NEVER seen a police officer do that. Why?
Keyword: walk
Unfortunately cars are not on the public roadways when they are parked in a private lot. “Traffic” officers need to read the Traffic Law and start writing tickets mercilessly and relentlessly on public roads until the public learns. All civil service need to lead by example, esp the RCIPS (among the worst offenders). No more excuses, second chances, or free passes.
Well isn’t it logical to do a traffic stop at the time when you can observe the most drivers/vehicles for offenses, such as expired registration , expired license, dark window tints, outstanding warrants/tickets etc etc. Honestly, I think only people who in general think that the traffic laws are inconvenient for them and tend to ignore them have an issue being held up in a roadblock once in a while………
Amused to see the photo of ‘Inspector Ian Yearwood, Head of the Traffic Management Unit’ in the Compass today riding his motorcycle with an illegally unsecured crash helmet. Nice one boys!
Wouldn’t need to if cannabis was legal and alcohol was illegal.
Why drink and drive when you can smoke and fly?
Drinking and spending is not good!
128 DUI for the year? I could get that many on a Friday evening at Mango Tree alone. Why not offer bonuses to the Po Po’s who catch the most?
which one of the keystone cops thought of the idea to do a roadblock on wb road during rush hour????
he needs to be taken out back…….
…and for all of that wasted time and congestion hassle were releasing offenders with warnings! The RCIPS are correct when they boast about “enforcing crime”, because they certainly aren’t in the habit of enforcing law and order acting like benevolent all-forgiving lightweights. If you’re going to detain the whole island at rush hour WRITE THE TICKETS!
When should the roadblock be done?
Never, they are a waste of time. If they would just patrol they would find drunk drivers EASY.
There’s no perfect time to do it, good thing the police don’t have to give us notice or follow any rules in relation to roadblocks whatsoever, they should be able to fit enough of them into the 727 hours in every month to catch people.
24 hours a day at RANDOM !
Perhaps Dart to justify new roads…