Government Strengthens Traffic Enforcement with Data-Driven InfrastructureImprovements and Policy Changes

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, January 31, 2025 (PMO) The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is adopting a data-driven approach to improve road safety across the Federation. 

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, January 30th, 2025, Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Hon. Garth Wilkin expressed that this approach will inform targeted infrastructural changes, revised traffic policies, and stronger enforcement measures. The data, according to Hon. Wilkin, derive from the findings of the Sustainable Road Safety Project, a government-led initiative aimed at reducing road accidents and achieving zero fatalities by 2030.

Accordingly, traffic accident data collected between 2019 and 2024 paints a stark picture of the current road safety situation in the Federation. A total of 8,569 accidents were reported during this period, averaging 1,711 accidents per year. The most accident-prone areas include Basseterre, with 773 reported accidents per year, and Old Road, with 122 accidents per year. Alarmingly, between 2020 and 2025, there were 31 fatal accidents resulting in 36 deaths, meaning that, on average, one person dies in a road accident in St. Kitts and Nevis every seven months.

“The numbers speak for themselves, and they highlight an undeniable problem that requires urgent action,” Attorney General Wilkin stated. “We have observed an increase in serious and fatal accidents in recent years, many of them caused by reckless speeding and mobile phone use while driving. Our roads should not be death traps—we must act now to ensure that lives are not needlessly lost.”

As part of its data-driven strategy, the Sustainable Road Safety Committee, chaired by the Attorney General, has conducted site visits to high-risk areas across St. Kitts to assess the main causes of accidents. The Kim Collins Highway, where the speed limit is 40 mph, has recorded an average speed of 70 mph, with some vehicles clocked at 85 mph. Additionally, Johnson Long Path, located near Ross University, has been identified as another trouble spot where frequent overtaking and excessive speeds have resulted in numerous accidents, including a tragic incident earlier this month that claimed the life of a four-month-old child.

To address these issues, the Government will implement a phased approach that prioritizes infrastructure modifications to improve road safety. The planned changes include the strategic placement of speed bumps in high-risk areas, updated road markings and signage, and an urgent review of the Federation’s traffic lights and flow systems to reduce congestion and prevent collisions. The Government will also consult professional traffic engineers to assess and recommend additional safety measures, particularly for the roundabouts in Basseterre, which have been identified as areas of frequent misuse and collisions.

“We are not simply making policy changes—we are backing them with real infrastructure adjustments that will reduce the likelihood of accidents,” Attorney General Wilkin explained. “We have seen first-hand how poor road design and lack of enforcement contribute to dangerous driving conditions. This is why we are not just increasing penalties but also fixing the very roads where these accidents happen.”

The Attorney General further announced that automatic ticketing systems will soon be operational, allowing for real-time enforcement of speeding violations using high-tech traffic cameras. Drivers who exceed speed limits will receive fines via mail or direct service by police officers, ensuring that enforcement is continuous and effective. Additionally, red-light cameras will be introduced at key intersections to discourage reckless driving and increase compliance with traffic signals.

“The days of drivers thinking they can break traffic laws and get away with it are over. With automated ticketing, reckless drivers will face consequences, whether they are caught in real-time by police or identified through camera enforcement. The goal here is simple—to make our roads safer for everyone.”

The Sustainable Road Safety Project will continue to analyze traffic data and conduct field assessments to inform its final recommendations. A comprehensive road safety report is expected to be presented to the Cabinet by the end of 2025, detailing long-term strategies to achieve zero road fatalities by 2030.