Drink driving, speeding, cellphone driving and failing to wear seatbelts are just a few of the traffic offences which will be targeted by RCIPS officers over the coming weeks in a bid to reduce deaths and injuries on Cayman’s roads.

The ‘Stay Alive’ initiative starts on 30 November and runs right into January 2013. It will use a combination of education and zero-tolerance enforcement to challenge dangerous driving behaviour and reinforce the ‘don’t drink and drive’ message.

Targeted operations will take place throughout the campaign period to detect those who drink and drive, commit traffic offences or use the roads for criminal purposes.

“We do not want another family in the Cayman Islands losing a loved one as a result of drink driving or dangerous driving on our roads,” said Superintendent Adrian Seales. “Too many people still get behind the wheel of their vehicles after drinking. When they do that they gamble with their own lives and the lives of innocent road users. Our message is quite clear – if you have a drink designate a driver, or take a cab.”

Mr. Seales also reminds motorists who speed that a hefty fine could put a serious dent in their pockets this Christmas.

“Since the introduction of the new Traffic Law speeding fines are incremental. That means that the basic fine increases by $20 for every mile over the speed limit. For example, if you are ticketed for travelling at 50mph in a 25mph limit you will be fined $500. If you are also found to be using your cellphone and not wearing a seatbelt your fine increases to $800.

“If you are ticketed for exceeding the speed limit in a school zone, while the lights are flashing, each mile you travel over the limit will increase the fine by $40.

“Finally, if you are found to be travelling in excess of double the limit – for example 51 mph in a 25 mph zone – you face six months in jail. That’s how seriously we take road safety in this country.

“We want everyone in the Cayman Islands to have a safe and enjoyable festive season. So, if you want to play your part in reducing deaths and injuries on the roads, or you want to avoid having to pay hundreds of dollars in fines, join us by playing your part in our ‘Stay Alive’ initiative to make Cayman’s roads safer for everyone.”