In the wake of the country’s latest traffic fatality, which claimed the life of a 16-year-old boy, the Ministry of Transport re-launched its National Road Safety Strategy, which places emphasis on road safety.

Minister of State for Transport and Aviation Hope Strachan said yesterday that as a part of the strategy, the ministry will unveil several initiatives.

“We have has successful programmes of driver education in the schools – catering to students in grades 10 and 11,” Mrs. Strachan said. “Road Traffic Department officers have been involved in youth symposiums and public awareness campaigns.

“During the summer months, this ministry through the Road Traffic Department will engage in an aggressive public awareness campaign and invite public-private partnerships, as we as a nation encourage a walking and driving culture of safety.”

The state minister said that there is pending legislation concerning road rules and road safety that is currently under review for tabling before parliament.

Mrs. Strachan also noted that the ministry and the Road Traffic Department are one-year behind schedule in their combined commitment to the global initiative – “The Decade of Action for Road Safety.”

“We are very concerned with the high incidents of reckless activity on our streets, especially from motorcyclists who seem hell-bent on not wearing helmets and other protective gear, the road-hogging bus drivers, those who have yet to master the art of transiting the roundabouts and double-lane roads,” she said.

Additionally, Mrs. Strachan said, the government will use its crime-fighting initiative “Saturation Patrol” as a means of targeting those drivers who continue to violate road traffic laws.