The results of the latest RCIPS festive safety initiative, Operation Christmas Cracker, have confirmed that many of those driving on Cayman’s roads do not deserve to own a driving licence.

The shocking figures released today, Monday 9 January, state that 62 people were arrested on suspicion of DUI in the six week period between 28 November and 4 January. In addition, 140 were ticketed for speeding. But the most disturbing figure is the fact that three people lost their lives on Cayman’s roads over that six week period. While the investigation into all three collisions is still ongoing, early indications are that alcohol and / or speed were contributing factors.

In addition to the three fatal collisions, another 146 crashes were dealt with by police during the safety campaign and while that figure is considerably down on last year’s number, according to the officer in charge of the RCIPS Traffic Dept., it’s still far too many. ”We commonly hear the term road accidents used,” said Chief Inspector Angelique Howell. “A road crash is not an “accident” crashes are caused by driver error, speed, driving under the influence or driving dangerously or carelessly. Crashes can be avoided – all it takes is for drivers to be aware of their surroundings and be responsible. But unfortunately, once again, our latest safety drive has proved that many of Cayman’s drivers are far from that! It’s clear that we still have a long way to go to make our roads as safe as they should be. Three people lost their lives in six weeks, three families lost loved one’s over the festive season – all because people were not responsible.

However, despite the fact that the 2011/ 2012 safety campaign has concluded, CI Howell is keen to stress that the end of the campaign does not mean the end of road traffic enforcement – as six drink drivers found out to their cost this weekend.

“Driving under the influence is not acceptable, it destroys lives. Our priority is to make Cayman’s roads as safe as they can be and our new year’s pledge is to  continue to target those who drink and drive 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Six more people who ignored our warnings were arrested this weakened for DUI. They will now join the 62 locked up during Operation Christmas Cracker in court.”