Jonique Gaynor, Staff Reporter

The Clarendon Traffic police are determined to clamp down on traffic violations in light of the eight persons who were killed in accidents in the parish, just a day apart.

Deputy Superintendent Patrick Murdock, officer in charge of operations in the parish, told THE STAR that there had been an ongoing operation targeting traffic violators, even before the accidents. He said the efforts were being intensified now.

He added, "Because of resource constraints, we can't be everywhere at all times, but we've increased our activities on the road and we've been given assistance from outside."

He told THE STAR about a special operation conducted last Friday with assistance from the Traffic Headquarters, the Highway patrol, Transport Authority and the Motor Vehicle Examinations Depot. DSP Murdock said the operation was very successful.

He said, "We made a number of prosecutions. We targeted people operating as taxis without road licences, or those who failed to renew their licences. We also seized about 50 plates from vehicles with mechanical defects." He also added that more than 300 traffic tickets were issued for violations, including speeding, improper overtaking, driving without a licence and other offences.

These efforts, he said, would be sustained as they move to reduce the number of accidents, as well as violations. "We plan to use outside resources when they are available," he added.

He also made a special appeal to motorists using the roads in the parish. "We just want to urge motorists to be careful, especially as it relates to accidents. We also want to point out that roads such as the Bustamante Highway and the road leading from Hayes to Lionel Town are accident-prone and motorists need to be extra careful and obey the speed limit."

On June 6, five persons were killed when a Toyota Corolla motor car collided with a truck along the Dawkins Pen main road. Just a day later, another three persons died in an accident along the Bustamante Highway.