Mayor bemoans speeding deaths in Westmoreland

Western Bureau:

In the wake of the recent two-bike crash in Sheffield, Westmoreland, that resulted in the deaths of four persons, Councillor Bertel Moore, the mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, has urged motorists to use the road with greater care.

Moore told The Gleaner that while there was very little the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation could do to help reduce road fatalities, which now stands at 12 since the start of the year, he nonetheless called on motorists to exercise greater caution.

"Today I had a meeting with the taxi drivers in the park, but there is no law that gives us anything to do concerning this matter," said Moore, who has been working closely with the police on the matter. "It is something that must be dealt with by the police and the Transport Authority."

DEADLY BIKE CRASHES

Last year, the Westmoreland Police Division recorded 28 road fatalities. The majority of the deaths were that of motorcyclists. Moore, who was acquainted with one of the victims in the Sheffield accident, noted that too many persons were being killed in road accidents.

"If I can go back to the four persons who were killed in Sheffield, the one that had the two girls on his bike is someone I have known for a number of years," said Moore.

"I was the godfather to his son. So it is something that is really rocking me because his son died a month ago and now he has passed away, too.

"I wish persons would take a greater level of responsibility on the road. I wish there was more we can do. I wish these bikers would take heed because I have seen the way they are riding," said Moore.

According to the mayor, he was recently at the scene of a bike accident when other bikers came along, and after observing what had happened, they rode off doing stunts.

"They rode off having the front of the bikes up in the air, and I said, 'Oh, my God. Did they not see what just happened?' It is as if they don't know how to take heed," said a concerned Moore.