For responsible drivers, the majority of Anguilla’s roads allow for reasonable driving conditions, but as far as road safety is concerned, there are a few that leave much to be desired. One of these roads is that stretch in the vicinity of Neville’s Central Superette in the heart of The Valley.
Mr. Richardson is duly concerned about the speed at which some uncaring drivers traverse this section of road, and he fears that someday, in the future, the unnecessary speeding will end in a senseless fatality. “Somebody is going to get kill on this street,” he contemplatively told The Anguillian. “It is just a matter of time, if nothing is done to address the situation,” he added.
This section of road poses hazards in both directions. For drivers heading west, there is a blind curve adjacent to the old Koal Keel Restaurant on the left. And on the right, there is an age-old historic stone wall. In the section along the curve, the road narrows. Any indiscriminate, speeding driver can lose control within that narrow curve, and in no time the consequences can be fatal.
Speeding drivers heading east in the residential area pose an even greater hazard, because they often come down the slope at astronomical speed on the side of the Superette, a few feet away from its door. Shoppers stepping out of the superette are placed at great risk, and if they happen to walk onto the road without being mindful of the traffic, the results can be a disaster, which, Neville says he was often at the brink of witnessing. He spoke extensively to The Anguillian on the matter:
“This part of The Valley is a residential area,” he said, “and with the houses so close to the road, the reality is that speeding traffic here poses a detrimental risk. Just up the road, there in the area of the Koal Keel Restaurant, that rock wall and the concrete wall in front the restaurant itself also pose great danger, especially to pedestrians – children in particular.
“There are big concrete trucks, and trucks that carry heavy equipment, which come around that curve and down this slope at considerable speeds. They even pick up more speed, down the slope, once they pass the curve. It is frightening to see the velocity at which they pass right in front my shop door – where customers come in and go out. And it is not only the heavy trucks, but they are some reckless young drivers that seem to use this stretch like a racetrack.”
He continued: “I have seen so many instances around here – instances with speeding car tires screeching on this busy, narrow road, just to avoid a collision, or to avert hitting a pedestrian.” “Let’s look at it this way,” he said. “If someone would rush out from this shop, not realising the potential harm, that person can be easily hit by a speeding vehicle coming down the slope.
“This road is one of the fastest, most used roads in Anguilla. I have spoken to several Ministers of Infrastructure about doing something to reduce the speed, such as installing speed bumps or ditches. I have gone to Public Works several times and complain about the hazard, but no one has lifted a finger to do anything about preventing a disaster that is waiting to happen here. It is only when an incident does occur, then they will come down asking all sort of ‘crazy’ questions.”
“In fact,” he said, “a couple months ago a collision did take place here, where a promising young lady was actually thrown out of her car. She did not die, of course, but she was badly injured and had to be hospitalised for some time. And, she still has to be going to clinic for therapy.”
“Look! My concern is this,” Mr. Richardson emphasised. “Let us not wait until somebody gets killed on this road. I am appealing to the Traffic Department, to the Public Works Department – and I am appealing to the Ministers who are elected to help look out for the wellbeing of our people: ‘Please do whatever is necessary to slow down the traffic on this road. Let us save life on this road. Let us prevent a catastrophe.’
“I have decided to take this matter to the press because, after all, I would have done all that I can do to bring the public’s awareness to a potential disaster. As a dutiful citizen of this country, I would not be able to sleep comfortably, or live at ease with myself, if something tragic happens here – and I did not speak or warn about it. So please, let us act now before it is too late. Thank you!”
Even while we were interviewing Neville, The Anguillian bore first-hand witness of indiscriminate drivers who were driving at senseless speeds in this residential zone. Obviously, Government authorities need to pay attention to the possibility of disasters waiting to happen and take measures to prevent the loss of life.
