Pointing to current figures which shows that 72 persons have died on the nation’s roads so far, the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) is appealing to road users to be extremely careful on the roads over the long holiday weekend which begins today, Good Friday and ends on Easter Monday.

In a release, the council said it was bracing for an influx of traffic on the roads and, as such, was cautioning road users to be extremely careful.

“It is a sad reality that, to date, 72 persons have died on account of road traffic injuries; this compared with 77 in 2017. It is against this background that the NRSC is moved to warn drivers to avoid any activity which may lead to distracted driving.”

The council also warned all pedestrians to cross the roads with extreme care, preferably at a pedestrian crossing if available. It advised persons to face the traffic when walking on the side of the road and to wear light-coloured clothing while walking at nights.

“It is wise also to obey traffic signs and signals and refrain from careless overtaking. However, the single most important thing we can do as drivers is to slow down and obey the speed limit. The NRSC is warning all drivers that the police, according to head of Traffic Superintendent Courtney Coubrie, will be out across the island in great numbers, checking for speeding motorists, using the breathalyser where indicated, and engaging in other police activities,” the release said.

“Let us use the long weekend for our own individual purposes but ensure that through vigilance and care no one dies or is injured. The recent crash where 35 people were injured, but thankfully no one died, ought to help put our minds on safety first over the weekend. And for the rest of the year.”