RSIPF records an increase in traffic incidences in Honiara

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, (RSIPF) National Traffic Department have recorded 20 traffic incidences in the period 7 to 13 July 2020 in Honiara compared to the previous week when only eight cases were reported.

This is an increase of 17 cases.

Complainants reported four cases while officers of the National Traffic Department reported 16 cases.

The 20 incidences included:

• Five cases each for careless driving and presence of alcohol in person’s blood;

• Three cases for using unlicensed motor vehicle;

• Two cases each for using uninsured motor vehicles, failing to comply with traffic direction and driving without driver’s license; and

• One case for permitting uninsured motor vehicle.

“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 five drivers arrested for presence of alcohol in the blood and five arrested for careless driving. If drivers continue to think that they can drink and drive then unfortunately we will see fatalities on our roads. Let us do the right thing. 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 Superintendent Satu.