RSIPF records an increase in traffic incidences in Honiara

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, (RSIPF) National Traffic Department have recorded40 traffic incidences in the period 10 to 16 July 2020 in Honiara compared to the previous week when only 29 cases were reported.

This is an increase of 11 cases.

Complainants reported five cases while officers of the National Traffic Department reported 35 cases.

The 40 incidences included:

• Nine cases for presence of alcohol in person’s blood;

• Seven cases for using unlicensed motor vehicle;

• Five cases each for careless driving and permitting unlicensed driver;

• Four cases each for using uninsured motor vehicle and driving without a valid driver’s licenses;

• Two cases for driving without a driver’s license; and

• One case each for permitting unlicensed motor vehicle, dangerous loading, failing to display vehicle licensed and duty to stop and report.

“These figures show that vehicle drivers and owners are continuing to ignore the traffic rules especially the DON’T DRINK and DRIVE message. Vehicle users should be very cautious when using the roads during the State of Public Emergency including the Emergency Zone in Honiara from Poha in the West and Alligator Creek in the East,” says Director of the National Traffic Department Superintendent Fred Satu.

“As we can see, there were nine drivers arrested for presence of alcohol in the blood and five arrested for careless driving. We recently recorded few fatal accidents in the on our roads in Honiara and some of these were because the driver was under the influence of liquor. If drivers continue to think that they can drink and drive then unfortunately we will continue to have such fatalities on our roads. Let us do the right think. DO NOT drink and drive. You are basically putting your life and that of your passengers and other road users including pedestrians in danger. Follow our traffic laws. They are there to safeguard everyone.”

All the accused have been charged for their respective offences and bailed to appear before the Honiara Central Magistrates’ Court on their respective dates.

“I want to commend all the drivers and vehicle owners who follow our traffic laws. I appeal to you to talk with your fellow drivers and vehicle owners to do the right thing. I want to also thank all my officers for their hard work during the past weeks making sure our roads are safe,” says Traffic Director Superintendent Satu.