Neglect of traffic laws concerns Police Commander

The Commander for Police in the Northern town of Vanuatu says drivers in Luganville are becoming so negligent over traffic rules.

Wellie Samuel, who now holds the position for more than 5 years serving in the Second town, described the ‘habit’ as irresponsible and disrespectful against Vanuatu traffic laws.

According to Vanuatu Traffic law, Section 2, states that, “it is an offence for any person to drive on the public road when under the influence of alcohol or a drug to such an extent that the driver is incapable of properly controlling his vehicle. A police officer shall be empowered without warrant to arrest any person contravening this section”.

Samuel says police have warned the public several times on this simple rule but drivers continue to break them and as a result accidents continue to happen.

“Police warnings and traffic rules are seemed to have been heard by deaf ears as accidents continue to happen as a result of driving under the influence,” Samuel told Daily post.

He took a deep breath with a very concerned expression on his face as he expressed his dissatisfaction over the continuous behaviours of drivers who continue to breach traffic rules.

The head of police in Luganville made this statement after two very serious accidents that occurred recently in Luganville claiming the lives of a young boy and a girl as a result of alcohol on two separate occasions.

The boy who died was a taxi driver after he got drunk and accidently drove beyond the tar sealed road and hitting a heap of soil beside the road when the vehicle overturned causing his death. Another girl jumped off a speeding vehicle and died on the spot as she was too sacred as the driver went past her village without stopping and the driver was alleged to be under the influence of alcohol.

The Police Commander says people need to think more seriously about their lives. He says deaths continue to happen but people never took time to think very seriously and consider the habit of drinking and driving.

Pro-Medical arrived at the scene just few minutes after the accident occurred and made necessary efforts to save the boy before referring him to the Northern District Hospital (NDH). It was reported the boy died at the NDH a few hours later.

A new roundabout constructed in Luganville recently close to the Police headquarter has seen many drivers still confused with traffic signs. Lack of understanding simple traffic rules shows that many drivers have not followed normal procedure of driving test to obtain a driving license. It was obvious many of drivers have not follow proper driving test to obtain a license, most drivers are underage and many vehicles that provide service are operating illegally without valid documents, it was observed in Luganville.

But the habit of consuming alcohol and driving seems to continue without respect for Vanuatu laws.

Meanwhile, the prosecution in Luganville says the law provides them power to apply to Court to give order to Police, Luganville Municipality and Traffic Section to terminate any license or permit for any transport owners or taxi owners who breached the law.

This means drivers who are drunk could lose their permits or driving license.