by Eulana Weekes
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force revealed its Traffic Incidents data within the last eight (8) years showing a steady increase in traffic accidents from 2015 to 2022.
The 2022 data, being the highest over an 8 year period, confirms that 1,756 traffic accidents were reported in St.Kitts and Nevis compared to 1,664 reported cases in the previous year- an increase of 92.
However, the most recent data further reveals that 1,430 reported traffic cases occurred without injuries, 286 involved slight injuries and 34 traffic accidents resulted in serious injuries. Sadly, six road fatalities were recorded in the country; Natalya “Tav” Roberts and Boswell Lescott in Nevis and Shakeel Marsham, Lynette Nanton, Shenesia Puran and Sewdat Pichaya.
Examining the breakdown into districts, for the year 2022, 1,384 traffic accident cases were reported to authorities in Districts A and B- St.Kitts. There was an increase of 73, in comparison to 1,311 reported accidents in 2021.
Of the accidents that were reported in St.Kitts in 2022, 1,097 cases involved 0 injuries, 252 individuals were slightly injured, 31 persons were seriously injured and 4 persons died.
Meanwhile, in District C- Nevis, there was also evidence of increased traffic related incidents in 2022. The police confirmed 372 accidents in 2022 compared to 353 in 2021- an increase of 19.
Police statistics revealed that 333 traffic incidents on Nevis involved no injuries, 34 were slight and 3 were serious. Two road fatalities were recorded there.
During the morning show at WINN FM on Tuesday 24 January 2023, Inspector Phipps of the Traffic Department said that a majority of the accidents were caused by distracted drivers and speeding.
