Minister of District Administration, Works and Gender Affairs, the Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, JP requested that the Traffic Advisory Panel (TAP) review and recommend measures to enhance pedestrian safety on the Islands’ roads.
TAP is a longstanding panel comprising representatives from the Ministry of District Administration, Works and Gender Affairs; the National Roads Authority (NRA); and the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS). Members are charged with introducing traffic improvements in the Cayman Islands.
Panelist and NRA Director Brian Tomlinson said that, in accordance with the Minister’s charge, the committee will consider both long- and short-term measures, including but not limited to the following:
o Reduce the speed limit from 40 mph to 30 mph, between Eastern Avenue and 100 yards north of Raleigh Quay/Tiki Beach.
o Build a roundabout at the intersection of Raleigh Quay and West Bay Road, in order to encourage motorists to use Esterley Tibbetts Highway (near the Old Holiday Inn and the New Tiki Beach).
o Build pedestrian crossings in high traffic areas, such as the Strand Shopping Plaza.
o Trim vegetation to ensure a clear line of sight, allowing drivers to see pedestrians on the sidewalk.
o Provide overhead flashing yellow lights, which can be activated by pedestrians to allow them to safely cross the road.
o Overhead lighting also will be improved.
TAP members are aware that some of these improvements may slow traffic, but they will increase pedestrian safety, especially along the West Bay Road, he noted.
“All the agencies involved in TAP are committed to the safe movement of pedestrians and vehicular traffic on our roads; we will continue to work towards improvements,” Mr. Tomlinson said.
