Police Report Traffic Death in Provo over the weekend

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, November 28, 2022 – The Turks and Caicos islands has recorded another traffic fatality this year.  In a short update police indicated that they had received calls around 10 a.m. Saturday, November 26th that a car had crashed near the Wine Cellar along Leeward Highway.  First responders rushed the male victim to Cheshire Hall but he passed away within half an hour.

The circumstances surrounding the crash are unclear but the police maintained they are investigating and implored the public to call in with any information regarding the accident.

During the holiday season as parties increase, families celebrate and alcohol is poured, accidents and road fatalities tend to increase.  This is thanks to increased road traffic, more individuals driving inebriated and a variety of reasons  The US Centres for Disease Control describes it as a global issue and one that is easily preventable.

Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years. In the Caribbean 30 percent of road traffic accidents happen to young people and 90 percent of those are young men. The increasing amounts of deaths in the Caribbean prompted Project Yellow Light, an initiative between the Caribbean Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank to increase awareness surrounding road fatalities back in 2015 around the same time the Pan American Health Organization called for stricter road traffic legislation in the Caribbean.

In order to decrease the risk of serious injury or death there are several things drivers can do this Christmas season.

• Do not drive while drunk or while under the influence of drugs . Not only is it a criminal offense in the Turks and Caicos it is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents.  When attending parties, have a designated driver. Do not allow your friends to drive while inebriated. It is safer to have an uncomfortable night sleeping in your car than to attempt driving while under the influence.
• Do not use your phone while driving and avoid other distractions. The CDC says ‘sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for at least five seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that is like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.’ Driving is unpredictable and requires your full attention
• Don’t be afraid to wait out the storm. If driving in heavy rain or even snow depending on your location is becoming increasingly difficult don’t be afraid to pull over and wait until conditions are better, arriving late beats not arriving at all.
• Purchase and use the correct car seats for your children, learn how to buckle them in properly. Though we often assume car seats are for babies children should use booster seats from birth until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height usually between 8 to 12 years old
• Always remember to put on your seat belt and buckle in your children.  In the rush of Christmas shopping, visiting family etc. people may forget simple things.

Practicing these and other tips will make your Christmas road trips that much safer. Happy holidays! In addition if you or someone you know received a DUI charge or needs assistance with drug or alcohol use, contact the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence on 649-338-3613 in Grand Turk or 649-338-4737 in Providenciales.