Ministry of Transport & Housing re-Launches National Road Safety Programme

The Ministry of Transport & Housing, in March, re-launched a comprehensive national road safety programme under the theme, ‘Slow Down, Stay Alive.’ The objective of the programme is to reduce the number of traffic accidents and fatalities on the roads in the country.

In his capacity as the Acting Minister of Transport & Housing, State Minister for Legal Affairs, Hon. Jomo Campbell, made the announcement during his contribution to the mid-year Budget communication, on March 1st, 2023 in the House of Assembly (HOA). He said that the Royal Bahamas Police Force recorded over 6,000 traffic accidents in 2022 and approximately 59 fatalities, most of which claimed the lives of young Bahamian males.

Road Traffic officials in Eleuthera took part in the kick-off of the re-launched ‘Slow Down, Stay Alive’ safety programme, with staff in Central Eleuthera placed at key

Community Outreach: Rotary Club of Eleuthera - Peace Building

The Rotary Club of Eleuthera (RCE), during the month of February placed a spotlight on Peace Building and Conflict Prevention with a ‘Road to Peace’ campaign. On Monday, February 27th, 2023, the RCE partnered with the Police Force to promote peace on the island with thematic signage erected along the roadway near Police Headquarters in Governor’s Harbour, Central Eleuthera. Pictured (L-R): Former Police OIC for Eleuthera and past Rotary president, Elburt Ferguson; Police OIC for Eleuthera, Chief Superintendent Shanta Knowles; Rotary Club of Eleuthera president Maxwell Leary; and Police Superintendent Princess Hepburn-Scavella.

junctions in Governor’s Harbour on Monday morning, March 6th, 2023 - handing out flyers with safety tips for both motorists and pedestrians, as well as wristbands with the message, “Road safety starts with me.”

Some of the key messages to motorists, included, avoiding distractions - like cell phones, loud music, and conversations while driving; using seatbelts while driving and helmets while riding motorcycles; not suddenly slowing down or stopping while driving on the highway; overtaking only when safe to do so; not driving under the influence of alcohol or when sleep deprived; driving within the speed limit; and looking out for pedestrians. Pedestrians were also cautioned against distractions like cell phones and loud music while walking; to walk on sidewalks, or the shoulder of the road facing

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own)

If developing countries, especially the small and vulnerable states, expected meaningful attention by the G20 to the myriad economic and financial challenges that confront them, their hopes were dashed by failed meetings of Finance and Foreign Ministers in February and March.

The members of the G-20 are: Ar-