A new push for driver’s education is being seen in Cayman’s high schools.
Recently, road safety talks took place across Grand Cayman. At the head of the seminars were Public Work’s Training, Development and Safety Officer and Streetskill member Levi Allen, National Roads Authority Streetskill representative Marion Pandohie and Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Chief Inspector Angelique Howell.
Mr. Allen, who spoke about defensive driving techniques, told students that driving is an ever-changing exercise.
“Getting your driver’s license doesn’t mean you can drive well,” Mr. Allen said. “Young drivers are particularly susceptible to traffic accidents as they generally lack the experience to respond to different situations. Knowing the road code is one thing, but applying the rules to a changing road environment requires skills, knowledge, extensive practice and an understanding of how you, as young drivers, respond to pressures and distractions.
“We want everyone to take individual responsibility for road safety. Our call to action is simple: Don’t wait for disaster to happen. Talk to your family, friends and children about driving for life.”
Streetskill is the public education campaign of the new multi-agency Cayman Islands National Road Safety Strategy, which aims to reduce road fatalities and injuries. Its members are Public Works, the Roads Authority, the RCIPS, Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing department and the Cayman Islands Road Safety Advisory Council.
Among the areas being covered during the talks are properly using Cayman’s roundabouts, driving with peers as passengers and risk-taking. Inspector Howell says educating young drivers is a necessary step.
“Our roads have already claimed four lives this year, prompting us to ramp up our public education efforts,” Mrs. Howell said, “The rate of road accidents and deaths in Cayman is simply unacceptable, which is why we need to focus on prevention and education.”
More presentations are expected to take place shortly, with a public workshop on defensive driving also in the works.
For more information, visit www.gis.ky/streetskills
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