9 minute read
19 TRANSPORTATION
from Cayman Resident 2022
by Acorn Media
Cayman’s roads have undergone many changes recently and it seems there is no end in sight. With hopes of alleviating the Island’s rush-hour traffic congestion, many road developments have taken place: the expansion of the Linford Pierson Highway; the extension of Elgin Avenue and Crewe Road realignment. Although this has significantly improved traffic, it has pushed the bottleneck elsewhere, meaning new road developments are perpetually underway. Over the next two years, the National Roads Authority will continue working on five main projects:
> Godfrey Nixon Way will be extended to connect Eastern Avenue and the main George Town area. > Grand Harbour widening and improvement: additional lanes will be added in each direction from the CUC roundabout by Kings Sports
Centre to the Auto Spa roundabout. > Airport Connector Road: the new roundabout by Cayman
International School will be linked to Sparky’s Drive in the Industrial
Park. Eventually, the road will link to the Owen Roberts International
Airport. > East-West Arterial widening: a 0.6 mile long stretch of the highway will be widened to four lanes from the Doctors Hospital roundabout to Poindexter Road. > East-West Arterial Road expansion: this highway will be extended from Savannah to Lookout Gardens pending an Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA).
Transportation
Everything you need to know about the rules of the road, licences, insurance, buying, renting or importing a car, maintenance and alternative forms of transportation.
Rules of the Road
264 - Roundabouts 264 - School Buses & School Zones 265 - Children & Car Seats 265
Legal Requirements - Driving Licences - Licensing your Vehicle - Car Insurance 266 266 268 269
Rental Cars 270
Leasing a Vehicle 270
Importing a Vehicle
270 - Shipping Costs & Details 271 - Duty Costs of Importing a Car 272
Buying a New Car - New Car Dealers 272 273
Buying a Used Car - Used Car Dealers 273 273
Hybrid & Electric Cars
Car Maintenance & Repair - Tyres & Batteries - Roadside Assistance - Car Cleaning - Disposing of a Vehicle
Alternative Transportation - Motorcycles & Scooters - Bicycles - Public Transport 274
274 275 275 276 276
276 276 277 277
Drinking & Driving 265
Cell Phones, Texting & Driving 266
There is debate as to whether these changes will have a lasting effect on reducing traffic congestion or if widening the roads is more of a temporary solution.
According to Government records in December 2020, there were 67,167 cars on Cayman’s roads and 54,463 drivers licences registered with the DVDL. To tackle unlicensed vehicles, the Government has announced plans to install several fixed scanners along Cayman’s road network, the first of which was mounted along South Sound Road and the Camana Bay tunnel. The scanners will read details from the vehicle’s electronic number plate, and the information collected will determine the status of the licence, registration, and insurance. Eventually, these machines may even be able to issue electronic tickets, but for now their purpose is to collect information for the police and traffic department, and crack down on traffic and licensing violations.
It is unsurprising that owning and driving your own car is the most convenient, comfortable and speedy mode of transport in the Cayman Islands. Temperature, precarious driving and the lack of sidewalks or adequate bike paths rule out the options of walking or cycling for most people. The local bus network is intermittent and does not cover all areas. In addition, waiting in the hot sunshine to then sit on a crowded minibus with little, or no air conditioning, is not everyone’s idea of the ideal daily commute.
There are some major bonuses that Cayman car travel retains: little traffic (outside of rush-hour), free parking in most locations and virtually no traffic wardens! If you are a couple or have a family, then the discussion will arise as to whether you need one car or two. Depending on which district of the Island you live and work, you may need two cars, unless you are prepared to be entirely beholden to the person that has the car.
RULES OF THE ROAD
There are over 135 different nationalities represented in Cayman, which means there are drivers from all around the world where traffic laws can be quite different. It is therefore crucial that drivers know the rules of Cayman’s roads.
Here’s what you need to know:
> We drive on the left-hand side of the road > Seatbelts must be worn by all passengers > Turning left on a red light, only after a full stop, is allowed and is legal > Using a mobile phone (unless hands-free) while driving is illegal > We have a few four-way stops. These work on the basis of whoever gets to the four-way stop first after making a full stop, proceeds first > The speed limit on the Island varies between 25mph-50mph. Speeding tickets are freely dispersed to people who go over the limit > The speed limit for school zones is 15mph when a) amber lights are flashing or b) road markings or signs are posted > All drivers must give way to pedestrians on pedestrian crossings > Headlights must be fitted to dip left. Those importing cars from the US take note > The use of fog lights is not allowed > You cannot overtake if there is a solid single or double white (or yellow) line in the centre of the road > Accidents: The law requires that in the event
of an accident involving injury to a person/ animal/vehicle, you must exchange names, addresses, DOB, registration numbers and your insurance details. Or report the accident to the police within 24 hours > Tinted car windows: Front windows can be tinted but must allow a minimum of 35% light transmission through. Rear windows can be made darker to a maximum of 15%. Visit www.dvdl.gov.ky for more information.
Roundabouts Roundabouts have proven so popular as a means of controlling traffic flow that there are now over two dozen located around Grand Cayman, including a couple of three-lane roundabouts. If you are unfamiliar with how roundabouts work and want to avoid an accident, then please learn these rules:
1) Always travel around a roundabout in a clockwise direction. Never turn right onto a roundabout or you will turn into the oncoming, one-way traffic! 2) All traffic approaching a roundabout must yield to the traffic that is already on it that is coming from your right. All vehicles already on the roundabout have right of way and you must wait for space to get onto it. 3) Use your indicators when approaching or exiting a roundabout. When turning left, stay in the left lane. When going straight across or turning right, you should indicate right as you approach the roundabout and then as you near your exit, indicate left.
Make sure not to overtake while on the roundabout. If a car is to your right and they
want to turn left, they have the right of way and you may be in their blind spot. 4) When using mini single-lane roundabouts, merge left when space is available and keep left of the painted circle until you reach your exit. All other cars must yield to the vehicle on the roundabout. 5) When using multi-lane roundabouts, keep in the left-hand lane if taking the first or second exit. Keep in the right-hand lane if taking a subsequent exit and maintain your position in the centre lane until the exit prior to the one you will be taking. When moving from the centre lane to the outer lane prior to exiting, check your mirrors to ensure someone is not overtaking you on the outside. Use your indicators! See diagram on previous page for guidance. 6) When driving on a three-lane roundabout for the first time it is important to use caution. Know your intended exit as you approach and ensure you are in the correct lane. When driving on this roundabout: a) Keep in the left-hand lane if taking the first exit and indicate left, b) Keep in the middle lane if driving straight ahead and follow the lane marked with a straight-through arrow.
Indicate left just before you exit, c) If taking a subsequent exit, use the righthand lane and indicate right, switching to your left indicator just before reaching your exit. When moving from the inner lane to outer lane prior to exiting, check your mirrors to ensure that no one is overtaking you on the outside.
Using the Centre Turning Lane The turning lane in the centre of some roads is designed to help drivers turn without holding up other drivers. The lane should never be used for overtaking.
School Buses & School Zones Under the Traffic Act, when a school bus has its lights flashing and has stopped to allow children to get on or off, drivers are not permitted to pass the bus. This applies to vehicles approaching the bus from the opposite lane, as well as those behind the bus. If you approach a bus that is letting children off, stop at least 20ft away and wait until the bus has pulled away before you continue driving. You should also pay attention to the 15mph speed limits in designated school zones to ensure the safety of youngsters. At certain times of the day, warning lights flash outside the schools, indicating to drivers that they need to reduce their speed to 15mph.
Children & Car Seats The Cayman Islands Traffic Seat Belts Regulations 2012 states that any child travelling in a motor vehicle must wear a seatbelt or, for those under two, be seated in a car seat attached by a seatbelt. It also states that a rear facing child’s car seat must not be fitted in a seat with a front airbag. Children’s car seats can be
purchased from Baby Express. EcayTrade also has second hand options.
Drinking and Driving Although the drinking and driving rules in Cayman are strict, it continues to be the leading cause of fatalities and serious collisions on Cayman’s roads. In an attempt to combat this issue, in May 2021 the RCIPS launched Operation Quaker – a task force set out to catch and hold accountable Cayman’s most reckless drivers. In the month of June 2021, around 38 people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), 175 tickets were issued, mainly for speeding, and police responded to roughly 58 collisions. These figures reflect incidents that took place only on the weekends, as this is when many of the tragic road accidents have occurred, and therefore when an increased police presence on the roads was deemed necessary. For more information and updates on the operation visit www. rcips.ky.
Drivers in Cayman should be reminded that the legal blood-alcohol limit for the Cayman Islands is 0.100% (100mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood).
THREE LANE ROUNDABOUTS HOW TO USE THEM
TO TURN LEFT
DRIVE STRAIGHT AHEAD TO TURN RIGHT
To turn left, you always approach in the left hand lane and indicate left. To drive straight ahead get in one of the lanes marked with a straight arrow. If turning right you must use the right hand lane and indicate accordingly.
THREE-LANE ROUNDABOUT REMINDERS
• Know your exit
