Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has called on scooter riders in the Virgin Islands to comply with the road safety guidelines because their lives matter.

“We are seeing an increase in scooter accidents, and riders are not wearing safety gears and riding safely on the road. I am urging scooter riders to practice safety on the Territory’s roads,” Premier Fahie said in a statement on June 24, 2020.

He said those riders should: “remember these: You must ensure that you have a scooter licence, ensure that your motorbikes are licensed, always wear a helmet, know your scooter’s limits, watch your speed, keep your distance from other vehicles, use both brakes, avoid blind spots, always use signals.”

There have been more than 60 accidents involving motor scooters for the year, Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) said during a live forum on Facebook on June 10, 2020.

He said as of June 10, 2020, there were already some 66 accidents involving motor scooters and that there were some 107 accidents involving motor scooters in 2019.

Important for the future of VI

In the meantime, the Premier said, protecting the Territory’s future generation is a collective responsibility.

“Remember safe riding save lives. Your Life Matters! Together, let us prevent serious injuries or death. Our young generation is important to the future of this Territory. So, let us continue to work in the oneness of purpose. Let us stay informed and remain laser-focused. Each of us has a role to play to help our economy and to keep us safe, whether it be from COVID-19, on the road, or with an economic response. We are in this together, and together we will stay the course,” he remarked.

Scooter ban

For a three-week period, which comes to an end today, June 25, 2020, Premier Fahie said the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands “approved the making of Regulation by the Minister in accordance Road Traffic Act, (CAP. 218), Section 56 to restrict the movement of three-wheel or less vehicles, which includes motorbikes and scooters, from 5:00, am to 5:00 pm.”

The move was done for the safety of the general public, Premier said.

While some sections of society have welcomed the temporary ban; however, others lashed out against the government’s decision.