In an effort of reduce traffic accidents and save lives, the St Thomas Police Traffic Department is staging a crackdown on motorists. Reports reaching The WEEKEND Star are that as a result, more than 500 traffic ticket were issued in the parish during the month of May

It is understood that most of the offences include speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, obstructing traffic, double parking and careless driving. A number of vehicles have also been confiscated for operating contrary to their road licence or operating without the appropriate documentation.

The department reports that their main aim is to save lives as a part of their duty in traffic reinforcement.

The police action follows a series of accidents in St Thomas in recent times leaving many people nursing injuries. Among the most serious, a Toyota Mark II motor car and Toyota Station Wagon had a head-on collision along the Bowden to Port Morant main road earlier this year. Both drivers had to be wrenched from their vehicles by firemen and hospitalised with multiple lacerations and broken limbs. Four others in that collision were also injured.

The department is seeking to prevent traffic accidents and reduce congestion particularly in Morant Bay while seeking to detect other criminal activities.

A source at the department told The Weekend Starthat despite the parish having a low fatality rate as a result of motor vehicle accidents, ensuring that the roads remains safe remains a top priority. St Thomas recorded five fatal accidents last year.