Over 150 crashes reported during 2 week safety campaign
(CNS): According to the accumulative statistics reported by police since Operation Winter Guardian, the annual holiday safety campaign was launched there have been more than 150 road crashes reported. Four people have been killed this month alone and the annual tally for road deaths currently stands at 14 one of the country’s worth tolls for fatal accidents since records began. Police have also now identified the driver killed in a the crash on the Esterly Tibbets Highway on Boxing Day afternoon and are asking witnesses to come forward.
The victim was 30-year-old Ilsi Patterson who lives in George Town. One man involved in the collision also remains in hospital in what is believed to be critical but stable condition while three others have since been treated and released.
Traffic investigators said they are aware that there were a number of persons present who witnessed the crash, in particular, several members of the public who helped those involved. “Your accounts are imperative to the investigation,” officials said, as they urged anyone with information to call the police on 1-345-924-1072.
Despite police trying to raise awareness and increasing visibility and enforcement the roads on Grand Cayman are becoming some of the most dangerous in the world.
Between Monday 16 December and Monday 30 December police attended more than 150 crashes but statistics are unavailable in relation to crashes which were not reported. Over the past weekend alone between Friday 27 December and Monday 30 December there were 26 reports of collisions. But just three people were arrested for driving under the influence.
One of those drivers, a 37-year-old man from George Town was also found to be in possession of ganja and was arrested for drug related offenses, including operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs. He has since been bailed pending further investigations.
The RCIPS said that they will continue be out in numbers over the remaining few days of the campaign and will be conducting spontaneous and simultaneous spot checks, as well as assisting with crowd control and safety where possible. Members of the public are also being depended on to be accountable for their safety and the safety of those they are responsible for.
Chief Superintendent Brad Ebanks urged everyone to use the free bus service tonight to avoid adding to the crash gtally.
“For New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, I am encouraging everyone to utilise the purple ribbon buses so that we may all get home safely and avoid any further tragedies on our roads,” he said. “While the numbers appear to be marginally reducing from previous weeks, these numbers are still significant and need to be addressed. Please ensure that you visit the Arrive Alive 345 Campaign website, study the routes and incorporate the buses in your festive plans today.”
Meanwhile, police will close Seafarers way between Fort Street and Goring Avenue and the junction of Shedden Road and Seafarers Way from 3pm today to facilitate the New Year’s Eve Celebration being hosted by the tourism ministry. Local access will be allowed for a specific period of the road closure as necessary for businesses open during this period and for cruise line passengers to gain access to the port for departure. the roads will re-open at 3am.
To find out more about the Purple Ribbon Buses and the Arrive Alive 345 Campaign visit www.arrivealive.ky
Anyone with information on the ETH collision on Boxing Day is asked to call 345-924-1072, the RCIPS anonymous confidential tip line at 949-7777 or the website. Tips can also be submitted anonymously via the Cayman Crime Stoppers website.
Category: Local News
26 crashes and 3 DUIs according to their stats, man don’t make me laugh 3 Dui with those roadblocks they either blind or still suffering from Covid 19 with a loss of smell or it as some have suggested, a deliberate act of both corruption and nepotism not to target a certain demographic group now here in our society. Now back to This rolling roadblock and the police tactic. why is it that an unmarked lead car can not sit off from behind and in front of these road blocks, to catch those offenders turning around or switching drivers or pulling over to fix their sudden car problems or mechanical issues or sometimes just blatantly parking their unlicensed or uninsured and unroad worthy vehicles near or in the vicinity of these roadblocks and like spectators watching and waiting for the “roadblock”to conclude so they can go on their merry way unhindered by the willfully blind Poleeese. Who appear to not see them, stunned I guess from the flashing red and blue lights . There are some things in Cayman that you have to laugh and scratch your head here sometimes .I guess it’s better than the deliberate act of pulling over their brethren and his extremely loud boom box concert sound system to chat about wha going on a yard. Only to give the false impression or deception he is about to be cited or arrested for his or her drunken state or the strong scent of ganja emanating from inside the vehicle. Then finally there is sexual harassment or female interaction deliberate or targeted stop of young or pretty women for nefarious reasons or conversations to determine their relationship status so they can admire his rank and stripes on his immaculate uniform or military style muscles and guns. Because all women likes a man in uniform. Saddens us how those at the very top echelons of our world class government and political Circus have lowered the standards of discipline,professionalism respectability and integrity of the police FORCE of the Cayman Islands with their so called unbiased imported help.
The evidence shows that DUI is a minor contributor to the problems on the road. The evidence shows it is speed and incompetence that are the killers. Plain and simple. These factors must get the focus.
How are the public supposed to take the CoP or RCIPS seriously about road safety when they treat the public with such complete contempt? Obviously i refer to the multiple John John incidents.
As ever the simple fact is DVDL give licenses to people who can’t drive. The Jamaican, Philipino, Indian and yes Cayman license is a joke, as is our test. Until we insist on 1st world driver training and testing we will always have 3rd world RTA and KSI rates.
Primary focus of the police is ensuring they have an officer at the airport writing parking tickets.
To be fair, an officer at the airport is there doing overtime, and is stationed solely at the airport. It’s not something many want to do, and if you’re posted there, what else you going to do?
You can keep blaming foreigners and police, but the reality is that if drivers were tested for alcohol and other drugs very few Caymanians would hold a license
what a racist comment.
You’re an asshole.
Indeed, 11:37, a truthful asshole.
You’d have thought the Police would have put up checkpoints
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3vr077965wo.amp
The Law applies to all, apply and make tougher laws Cayman. How many more people have to die to stop the ‘egos’, showing off, don’t give a shit about others selfish attitude! Soft talk doesn’t work!
The RCIPS given any feedback on their zero tolerance approach on NYE? They proclaimed it so (suggesting other days there’s some leeway), and posted images of a checkpoint.
This is just deplorable at this point. Not even comical or depressing. We should be ashamed that this is what our country has come to. People drive like such pieces of shit because they literally do not care if they kill someone. Start taking drivers licenses away for these crashes. And certain types or too many traffic violations should make you lose your work permit and be sent home immediately. That will fix some stuff right quick or at least weed out a load of bad apples.
People don’t care about their own lives, their kids lives, or your/my life. Get them the fck outta here, or lock them up, and off the damn roads. Enough already.
We need China-level enforcement of our laws.
Agree except last paragraph!!!!
Why? Nobody said Chinese laws…Chinese enforcement.
They have their laws and they are not to be broken (same goes in Dubai, Singapore etc).
We have our laws here and literally nobody ever seems to give a shit about enforcing any of them. What’s the point of speed limits and DUI rules when police don’t pull over speeders or breathalize drunks?
Nobody disagrees with these stats. So why don’t we have a fully staffed and scaled traffic department? Do we need a new CoP that can interpret basic data?
Yes. The head of the traffic dept needs to be publicly shamed too.
Pathetic! If Cayman is serious about vehicle fatalities and crashes they should disclose the nationality of the drivers in the statistics 📊. If there is a dominant pattern of a particular nationality involved in these tragic accidents then Cayman should implement in class and road test exams prior to permitting their license to be a driver in Cayman.
If alcohol is predominantly shown to be involved in these tragic accidents along with age (for example below age 25) then CIG should implement a zero blood alcohol level. Breach of this rule is monetary fine and community work such as picking up garage along the freeway with a bright orange vest on their days off work. Breach of the community work results in further monetary fine and deportation or imprisonment or house arrest
Reckless driving isn’t a nationality. DUI should be moved from Traffic Court to Criminal Court. The only opponents of that sensible move are the legislating politicians, themselves often crashing, fleeing scenes, failing to provide a sample, or calling the Premier/COP to make it all go away.
Statistically… you may wish to reconsider your assertion.
If only we were given the statistics.
Certain nationalities drivers licenses are not recognized in the UK. Do you think there may be some rational basis for that?
Is that your subtle way saying locals are the predominant brutal drivers causing these 150 accidents some fatal? If so then driver training needs to raise the bar much higher in passing the driving test
I agree DUI is an issue here and should be dealt with. However DUI is not causing all these accidents. In fact it is a small percentage and most DUI are not handed out during accidents. Just goes back to encore ALL traffic laws.
Absolutely this. People are focused more on DUI which is understandable but like everything else you must address the main sources of the problem.
I seem to remember that a prominent Caymanian crashed twice by himself at night, and both times no breathalyzer was used. You may be right, it is a nationality issue
And then again, 3:48, there was the ExCo Member ( as they were called then) who killed a woman on west bay road. No action taken.
Only 150 crashes in two weeks? What a triumph of policing!!!!
so again asking everyone nicely to drive properly doesn’t work. who could have thunk it? time for the police to step up enforcing laws and following themselves as well.
This doesn’t alarm anyone? Do something , you have idiots on the road killing people
I know bad driving plays a part but dont underestimate the part poor road striping plays. Try driving from Bodden Town to George Town at night Its impossible to see the lane stripes and please dont let it be raining.
I’m sure the down votes are because it’s a very minor issue, however, they’re right in that many of our road markings are extremely hard to see at night when it’s raining hard. That said, I slow down enough to take that into account.
If you seriously can’t figure out where you need to be on the full width of the available road surface, then you need to taking the bus.
if you need lines on the road you shouldn’t be driving.
Try putting your headlights on, buddy.
By the Authority of the Ordo Ridiculus: Cayman’s Roads—The Wild West Meets Monaco’s Grand Prix
Ah, Cayman’s roads. Where safety campaigns result in 150 crashes in two weeks, reckless drivers earn licenses without a test, and abandoned vehicles with broken disc brakes are left in the right-hand lane of major highways. And let’s not forget the pièce de résistance: speeding drivers channeling their inner Formula 1 heroes, as if the Esterly Tibbets Highway were the start-finish straight of the Monaco Grand Prix.
It seems we’ve entered a realm where absurdity reigns supreme, and the RCIPS is content to wave the checkered flag instead of enforcing order.
The Need for Speed (and Recklessness)
It’s hard to ignore the spectacle: vehicles flying down the highways at breakneck speeds, weaving through traffic with the confidence of a racecar driver but none of the skill. These drivers treat the roads like their own private Grand Prix circuit, blissfully unaware—or indifferent—to the chaos they leave behind.
1. Roundabouts: The Apex of Recklessness:
Cayman’s roundabouts, designed for safe traffic flow, have become hairpin turns for speed enthusiasts. Tires screech, landscaping flies, and public safety gets lapped by the thrill of the race.
2. Highways: Straightaways of Destruction:
The Esterly Tibbets Highway is less a road and more a qualifying lap, where speed limits are treated as suggestions. And when vehicles break down mid-lane? The RCIPS simply vacates the scene, leaving everyone else to dodge the obstacle like it’s part of the course.
3. Crashes: The Checkered Flag of Consequences:
With more than 150 crashes in 14 days, the holiday season has proven one thing: reckless driving isn’t just dangerous—it’s becoming a national pastime.
Broken Brakes, Broken Policies
Let’s revisit the recent gem of absurdity: a vehicle with a broken disc brake, stranded in the right-hand lane of the Esterly Tibbets Highway. The RCIPS’ solution? Abandon the scene, leaving the vehicle to serve as a monument to neglect.
• Immediate Hazard, Immediate Risk:
A disabled vehicle in a high-speed lane is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Leaving it unattended is not just careless—it’s outright dangerous.
• Why Wasn’t It Removed?
The RCIPS had one job: ensure the vehicle was evacuated safely. Instead, they vacated the scene, turning the highway into an obstacle course. Who’s responsible for the inevitable collisions?
The Licensing Problem: Full Equivalency Madness
Adding fuel to the fire, many of the drivers involved in these crashes hail from countries where full licensing equivalency is granted without requiring a local test or road safety briefing.
• No Familiarity with Cayman’s Roads:
Drivers accustomed to different traffic patterns, road conditions, and enforcement standards are handed licenses as if the roads themselves will adapt to their habits.
• Cultural Norms Collide with Local Laws:
In some places, speeding, aggressive maneuvers, and minimal rule adherence are the norm. When these drivers hit Cayman’s streets, the results speak for themselves: chaos, crashes, and carnage.
The RCIPS’ Reaction: A Band-Aid on a Grand Prix Track
Chief Superintendent Brad Ebanks urges residents to use the Purple Ribbon Bus service on New Year’s Eve to prevent further tragedies. While commendable, relying on a single free bus service to counteract a system riddled with negligence and outdated policies is like asking a safety car to fix Monaco’s tight corners.
Adeptus Ridiculous Proposals: Reclaiming the Roads
1. Mandatory Local Licensing Test:
Abolish full equivalency for foreign licenses. Require every driver to pass a Cayman-specific road test and safety course. If you can’t navigate a roundabout, you can’t navigate Cayman—simple as that.
2. Speed Monitoring and Penalties:
Install speed cameras on major highways and roundabouts, with fines and mandatory driver education for offenders. Let speedsters know: this isn’t Monaco, and the roads aren’t a racetrack.
3. Zero Tolerance for Abandoned Hazards:
Any vehicle left stranded in a high-speed lane must be evacuated immediately. Officers who fail to enforce this should face internal accountability measures.
4. Traffic Incident Task Force:
Create a specialized unit within the RCIPS dedicated solely to road safety enforcement. Focus on proactive measures, not just reactionary responses to crashes.
For Cayman. For Safer Roads. For Accountability.
The current state of Cayman’s roads is an embarrassment to public safety. Reckless driving, mishandled hazards, and outdated licensing policies have turned our highways into battlegrounds. The Adeptus Ridiculous demands action—swift, decisive, and uncompromising.
Because the Esterly Tibbets Highway isn’t Monaco, and Cayman deserves better than a safety campaign that feels more like a demolition derby.
For the love of sanity, let’s reclaim our roads.
150 crashes?
So one assumes more than 100+ arrests for drunk or negligent driving, right, just in connection with those?
Even without the arrests for lack of insurance, lack of license, …
Thats an interesting question. With all these crashes how many tickets have benn handed out, and what was the ticket issued for.
As you mentioned 150 crashes should mean at minimum 150 tickets. There has to be someone at fault. Accidents don’t just happen.
I think I’ll be staying home tonight. The roads will be busy, and as full of idiots as ever.
Advice to RCIPS, the idiots don’t take note of your concerns. They don’t show restraint, or common sense. Back to you, now.
Why is tax money being used to host a free NY event on the GT waterfront? I don’t ever recall such an event taking place. Must be an election coming in 2025.
As it is organised by the Department/Ministry of Tourism is it to lure our visitors away from the events being held at many locations on SMB.
Why not spark up a new TV series for 2025. Vote for “Dodgem Cars Cayman” season 1 debuts Summer this coming New Year!
Years of lackadaisical enforcement of even the most basic laws has created a monster that cannot be controlled with standard policing.
Make drivers fear punishments.
Lackadaisical is being generous. In 27 years I don’t recall every witnessing an actual traffic stop on a Cayman roadway.
You’re obviously not on the road on a sunday afternoon, on the quietest roads, under the shadiest tree.
So much for the alcohol only causes crashes ad weed never does.
Thats an important point. Understanding the ratio of accidents involving drink or drugs and also speeding, texting/using a phone etc. allows an understanding of where the focus of efforts should be.