While the number of fatalities on Barbados’ roads last year was fewer than in 2009, the Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA) is still concerned.
In a New Year message yesterday, president Sharmane Roland-Bowen said the number of vulnerable road users had increased.
“This is of great concern to the association. We are therefore calling for greater interest to be paid in the protection of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists by making provisions that will accommodate their safety and also castigate these [same] persons when needed [if they are guilty of breaking the law],” she said.
Roland-Bowen said the number of fatalities had dropped from 26 in 2009 to 22 in 2010, and fatalities of motor vehicle occupants dropped from 61.5 per cent in 2009 to 45.4 per cent in 2010. She added the percentage of vulnerable road users rose from 38.5 per cent to 54.6 per cent for that same period.
“We are making an appeal to all persons to take road safety seriously in the New Year after 22 people were killed and thousands injured in road accidents during 2010,” she said.
Roland-Bowen said the association was about to enter the Decade Of Action For Road Safety from May 11.
“Our vision is to make Barbados’ roads become the safest in the Caribbean. This can only happen if all the stakeholders involved, work together and each individual takes responsibility and plays their part in this process, to help make the roads we use safer.
“We are appealing to each and every road user to take their safety and that of others seriously in 2011,” Roland-Bowen said. (PR/CA)
