Driving in Anguilla
The tranquility and laid back life style we so often promote on Anguilla used to be reflected in our driving habits. I’m sorry to say that is no longer the case. Instances of speeding, tailgating, unsafe passing and red-light running have become epidemic. I was recently approaching the intersection of Watkins-Hodge and Queen Elizabeth Ave headed towards town preparing to stop at the light which was red. Another car was preparing to turn left from Queen Elizabeth onto Watkins-Hodge when one of our fine citizens blew by me on the right at excessive speed and through the red light. Fortunately, the car preparing to turn left on green was paying attention or we would have had a catastrophic three car accident. A similar incident took place at the light at Conner’s corner in South Hill. This kind of behavior is happening regularly.
If I were a tourist, challenged to be driving on the unfamiliar side of the road these incidents could have easily been accidents, not to mention frightening. Tailgating is commonplace. Besides being an invasion of your space, not unlike someone who stands too close to you when they talk to you, it is highly unsafe. If someone pulls out in front of you and the tailgater is distracted, a rear end collision is eminent. Constant passing on blind turns is equally prevalent and unsafe. Sadly, some of our taxi drivers are the worst offenders.
I know our police force is stretched thin but much of this behavior is encouraged by the knowledge that traffic law enforcement is all but non-existent on the island and these people know they will not be caught. This has to stop.
Besides being dangerous, this behavior is inconsiderate, unnerving and has the probability of contributing to a negative impression of the island to the tourist community. This behavior projects an image of lawlessness which we don’t deserve. I ask the RAPF to give this situation the attention it deserves. Our lives and the quality of life on Anguilla is at stake.
A Concerned Citizen
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
