Police have recorded seven serious road traffic collisions over the past two weeks, including incidents that left a pedestrian and a scooter rider badly injured.
Another 29 minor crashes involving vehicles took place across Anguilla during the same period, with George Hill emerging as one the hotspots, followed by Shoal Bay, The Valley and South Hill.
The figures follow the Royal Anguilla Police Force’s decision to publish daily updates on road traffic collisions across the island in an effort to encourage safer driving.
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The data was first released on 11 January, when one serious and three minor incidents were reported, and has so far been published up to 25 January.
The following day, on 12 January, two serious incidents took place with the first – a head-on collision between a Suzuki Swift and a Honda Accord – occurring just before 1am in Lower South Hill.
Both vehicles sustained extensive front-end damage and the occupants, who received minor injuries, were taken to receive medical attention.
Then at about 3.45pm the same day, police received a report of another road traffic collision in South Hill involving a motor vehicle and a scooter.
A male rider was knocked off a blue scooter and sustained serious injuries to his leg. He was transported to hospital for medical treatment.
Multiple serious incidents
The next major incident took place just after 12pm on 20 January in Island Harbour where a driver collided with a column.
The vehicle sustained significant damage, while the driver suffered a minor laceration and was treated at the scene by emergency medical technicians.
Then on 22 January at about 9.25pm when a pedestrian was struck by a silver Toyota Corolla near Proctors Supermarket in The Quarter.
The pedestrian was found lying on the roadway, breathing but unresponsive, police reported.
Emergency medical technicians were dispatched and transported the injured person to the Princess Alexandra Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Two collisions occurred on 24 January.
At about 5.30am, police responded to a serious single vehicle collision in South Hill where a vehicle struck a wall. The driver sustained a broken leg and was transported to hospital.
Then just before 11am police received a report of a vehicle fully engulfed in flames in The Valley. The driver was reportedly overtaking another vehicle when the collision occurred, police said.
Crash hotspots
Over the two weeks, George Hill had the highest number of incidents during the period, including one serious and seven minor, followed by Shoal Bay, The Valley and South Hill with four collisions each.
Water Swamp recorded three, West End and Blowing Point two, and a single incident occurred in Island Harbour, Lower South Hill, The Quarter, Long Bay Road, Cauls Bottom, and Little Harbour.
The ‘Crash Count’ is part of the road safety priority within the force’s Policing Plan, police said in a press release on 12 January.
The aim of the initiative is to increase awareness, promote responsible driving behaviour and deter reckless and dangerous driving.
“The RAPF reminds all road users that every collision is preventable. Drivers are urged to obey traffic laws, reduce speed, and exercise due care at all times,” police said.
In the event of a traffic accident, motorists are reminded to:
- Stop immediately and ensure the safety of all persons involved
- Do not move injured persons unless there is immediate danger
- Call the Joint Emergency Services Control Room on 911
- Follow instructions given by emergency personnel
- Remain at the scene until police arrive
Anyone with information on dangerous driving can call police on 911, (264) 497-2333 or 497-5333, or leave an anonymous message, video or photo at secureaxa.com
Information from the website is stored in a secure location in California where access to it is tightly controlled.
