Addressing a special assembly of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, NCPC Director Lisa Florent-Montoute described road safety as a critical economic issue that deserves national attention.
The call came during a special meeting of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force attended by Prime Minister and Minister for National Security, Hon. Philip J. Pierre, Police Commissioner Verne Garde, the Force’s senior leadership, and approximately four hundred police officers.
“Road safety is often viewed solely as a transportation or law enforcement issue. However, it is much broader than that. It is a national productivity issue.”
She pointed to the rapid growth in vehicle ownership across the island as another challenge. Saint Lucia now has more than ninety-five thousand registered vehicles serving a population of approximately one hundred and eighty thousand people.
In 2023 alone, the country recorded nearly three thousand road accidents, including more than three hundred and fifty major collisions.
“ The impact on productivity cannot be overstated. When roads become congested due to accidents, employees arrive late to work, goods and services are delayed, businesses incur additional costs, and valuable productive hours are lost. Road accidents therefore affect not only the individuals involved, but the entire economy of Saint Lucia.”
Recognizing the Police Force’s central role in road safety, the Council is proposing stronger collaboration between key national stakeholders to improve traffic management and reduce congestion.
Among its recommendations is a review of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act to modernize the way minor traffic accidents are handled.
Florent-Montoute says many countries now allow motorists involved in minor collisions to safely exchange information, submit digital reports, and quickly clear roadways, allowing police officers to focus on higher-priority public safety responsibilities.
“Such reforms can reduce congestion, improve efficiency, and minimize the productivity losses associated with prolonged accident processing. The NCPC stands ready to support discussions and to take action on modernizing these processes through stakeholder engagement and policy dialogue.”
The Council is also advocating the establishment of a multi-agency road safety and traffic management body comprising the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Road Transport Board, the Insurance Council of Saint Lucia, the Judiciary, emergency services, and the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council.
“The purpose of this collaborative body would be to examine traffic management challenges, review legislation, identify bottlenecks, assess accident trends, recommend policy reforms, and develop innovative solutions aimed at reducing congestion, improving road safety, and increasing national productivity. As we look towards the future, let us recognize that every minute saved on our roads, every accident prevented, and every life protected contributes to a stronger and more productive nation.”
The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council says it stands ready to work alongside the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force and other stakeholders to modernize traffic management systems and develop practical, long-term solutions that will benefit road users and the wider economy.