{"id":4412,"date":"2023-11-26T22:34:06","date_gmt":"2023-11-26T11:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.temp.irap-dev.org\/cayman-islands-strategy-sets-target-for-4-star-new-roads\/"},"modified":"2023-11-26T22:34:06","modified_gmt":"2023-11-26T11:34:06","slug":"cayman-islands-strategy-sets-target-for-4-star-new-roads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irap.org\/pt\/cayman-islands-strategy-sets-target-for-4-star-new-roads\/","title":{"rendered":"Estrat\u00e9gia das Ilhas Cayman estabelece meta para novas estradas 4 estrelas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reproduced from Cayman Compass, 20 November. Credit: Rebecca Bird<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

National road safety plan aims to eliminate road deaths by 2038<\/strong><\/p>\n

A newly published Cayman-wide road safety plan sets out how the government can cut deaths, injuries and offences on the islands\u2019 roads over the next 15 years.<\/p>\n

Among the suggestions are sidewalks along all roads, speed cameras, cycle paths, road safety education in schools, and enforcement of tougher penalties for traffic offences.<\/p>\n

The main targets in the Cayman Islands National Road Safety Strategy 2023-2038 are to reduce road fatalities by 30% by 2028 and to eradicate them entirely by 2038.<\/p>\n

The report comes as the number of road deaths in the Cayman Islands, particularly in Grand Cayman, remains significantly higher than many other developed countries.<\/p>\n

In 2022, 2,915 road traffic collisions resulted in 32 serious injuries and 14 fatalities on Cayman\u2019s roads.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese statistics reflect not only a tragic loss of multiple lives but bear a huge cost to the community,\u201d Premier Wayne Panton said in his foreword in the report.<\/p>\n

He said the strategy provides \u201cthe next course of action for how we work together to save lives, reduce injuries and deliver safety as the standard we all live by on Cayman\u2019s roads\u201d.<\/p>\n

Infrastructure and Public Transport Minister Jay Ebanks dubbed the strategy, the \u201cRoad to Zero\u201d because of its aim to eliminate deaths on Cayman\u2019s roads.<\/p>\n

He said this will be done by using the \u201cthree Es of road safety\u201d which are engineering, education and enforcement.<\/p>\n

The challenges<\/strong>
\nThe road safety record of the Cayman Islands is similar to the rest of the English-speaking Caribbean, according to the National Road Safety Working Group\u2019s 59-page report.<\/p>\n

However, it is significantly higher than many other developed countries, which have far lower rates of death on their roads.<\/p>\n

Over the four years 2015\u20132018, there were, on average, 13.33 road fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants in Cayman, compared to 11 fatalities per 100,000 in North America.<\/p>\n

An \u201cunacceptably high\u201d number of road traffic collisions also occur across Cayman each year, according to the report, with eight to 10 taking place daily.<\/p>\n

It says there are six challenges that influence the rate of incidents: population growth, diversity, transience, the transport system, road infrastructure and road safety custodian.<\/p>\n

Population growth<\/strong><\/p>\n

As the population grows, so does the number of vehicles and pedestrians on the roads, the report says.<\/p>\n

The number of registered vehicles in the past five years alone has grown from 36,194 to 45,664 \u2013 an increase of 26%.<\/p>\n

Diversity<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Cayman Islands is home to more than 120 different nationalities and with this diversity, driving standards and expectations are varied.<\/p>\n

For example, roundabouts are relatively uncommon globally and many drivers encounter them for the first time on Cayman\u2019s roads.<\/p>\n

Transience<\/strong><\/p>\n

The majority of Cayman\u2019s population is transient, with work permit holders forming the largest portion of road users.<\/p>\n

This high population turnover creates a challenge in effectively implementing road safety initiatives, and increased and constant education efforts are needed, the report continues.<\/p>\n

Transport system<\/strong><\/p>\n

The limited public transport system cannot support the needs of the growing population, and, as a result, a very high number of vehicles are imported every year.<\/p>\n

The strategy says that between 2018 and 2022, 23,958 vehicles were imported, resulting in increased congestion on the roads.<\/p>\n

Infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n

Road infrastructure development and upgrades have not kept pace with the increased numbers of vehicle imports and road users, creating heavy congestion and more collisions.<\/p>\n

Road safety custodian<\/strong><\/p>\n

And finally, there is no nationally recognised body or agency in the Cayman Islands with responsibility for road safety at a strategic level, the report says.<\/p>\n

Making moves<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2014, the National Roads Authority partnered with the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) to conduct a national network safety assessment.<\/p>\n

The goal was to identify sections of Cayman\u2019s roads where improvements could lead to a reduction in serious and fatal accidents.<\/p>\n

The study considered speed limits, roadside objects, poor lighting, improper lane markings, and\u00a0signage as key in determining the star rating for each road.<\/p>\n

It released its findings later that year, with most roads achieving a safety rating of three out of five stars or less for vehicle occupants, and lower ratings for pedestrians or cyclists.<\/p>\n

As a result of the iRAP assessment, the National Roads Authority committed to applying its detailed recommendations to improve road safety.<\/p>\n

It introduced fluorescent yellow-green lighted pedestrian crossing signs, highway safety guardrails, anti-skid surfacing, rumble strips, lighted pedestrian crossings, sharrows, speed radar and check signs, road shoulders and clear zone requirements.<\/p>\n

However, Cayman\u2019s population continues to grow, now exceeding 81,456 people and 45,664 motor vehicles, \u201ccreating a significant challenge for road safety\u201d, Panton said.<\/p>\n

A joint effort<\/strong>
\nThe report aims to reinforce partnerships between the government, local groups, stakeholders and the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoad safety is a shared responsibility which does not belong to one institution or the government alone,\u201d Panton said. \u201cA concerted effort is required by all stakeholders and the general public to make Cayman\u2019s roads safe for all.\u201d<\/p>\n

The National Roads Authority will lead the development of action plans and coordination across the key government agencies delivering road safety improvements.<\/p>\n

The National Road Safety Working Group, made up of members of the government, public sector and the community, will be consulted throughout the strategy\u2019s implementation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn developing the strategy, we engaged extensively with the community, as well as road safety experts, sharing evidence about what saves lives and reduces injuries,\u201d Panton said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom this, we have identified issues and trends that need to be tackled and there is a strong community support for more action.\u201d<\/p>\n

Quick wins<\/strong><\/p>\n

Among some of the immediate plans for increased road safety, or \u201cquick wins\u201d, contained in the strategy are:<\/p>\n