Put the brakes on!

Tuesday 01 December 2015

Drivers are being urged to stop running red lights and putting other road users in danger.

So far this year 145 people have been prosecuted for it and three drivers have lost their licenses and had to pay heavy fines.

Jersey’s Road Safety Panel say there are several ‘hot spots’, mainly on the ring road around St Helier and people driving dangerously have caused a number of accidents.

Road Safety Officer Philip Blake said: “Motorists are running the risk of being ‘T’ boned as they exit junctions as well as the possibility of injuring pedestrians trying to cross the road.  I would urge motorists to take extra care when approaching traffic lights.”

Kate Kirk is one of a number of pedestrians finding it increasingly dangerous trying to cross the road in the mornings from the Esplanade to Jardins De La Mer.

She said: “As often as not when we’re trying to cross the road in rush hour – particularly in the morning - when the green man comes on for pedestrians, traffic is regularly still coming round the corner, at speed, to get through an amber or red light at the bottom of Gloucester Street.

“It can feel as if you’re putting your life at risk when you use that crossing.  It seems very selfish of drivers to do this just to save a few minutes of journey time.”

It’s road safety charity Brake’s annual Road Safety Week and the theme this year is ‘Drive Less – Live More’, something local charity Headway is keen to support.

Chief Executive Ray Cooper said: “It only takes a moment to have a life changed dramatically and at Headway we see all too often the results of a momentary lapse in concentration or a risk taken to save a minute or two.

“Taking a chance and jumping a red light is all too common place, I am sure we have all witnessed it. Road accidents can result in a brain injury and perhaps if people saw the results they would think twice about taking that chance. Remember a brain injury not only affects the person who suffers it but also the entire family.”