Less than a third of the way into 2014, there have already been five traffic accidents involving pedestrians — a number equal to the total pedestrian-related accidents last year, according to the head of Traffic Investigations Unit, Inspector Dariel Robinson.
There are four different ways pedestrians cross the roads of Tortola, he said: areas with a crosswalk and an automated sign that signals when pedestrians can cross; areas with a crosswalk, an automated sign, and also a button the pedestrians can push to cross; areas with no automated signs and just a crosswalk; and areas with no crosswalk at all.
The inspector said that if vehicle-pedestrian accidents happen in areas with sidewalks, the fault would be assigned to the driver. But even if a vehicle-pedestrian accident occurs in an area with no crosswalk at all, the driver will still be assumed at fault more often than not, he said.
“The speed limit is only 20 miles per hour in Road Town, so you should be in a situation where you have complete control of your vehicle at all times,” he said. “The law says you should be driving for yourself and others.”
The same rule applies for other parts of the territory, where speed limits reach up to 40 miles per hour, said Mr. Robinson.
See the March 27, 2014 edition for full coverage.
{fcomment}