Police urged to take action against drivers of trucks that spill concrete on roads

Minister with responsibility for works, Robert Nesta Morgan, has called for the police to increase enforcement action against truck drivers whose vehicles spill cement, concrete mix and other construction materials on the roadways.

Section 97 of the Road Traffic Act 2018 makes it a criminal offence to cause materials such as concrete mix, garbage or oil to spill onto the roadways, Morgan noted in a statement on Wednesday.

Offenders who are found guilty can be fined up to $300,000 or three months’ imprisonment, he noted. Section 97 (2) also empowers the authorities to recover the cost of road repair as a civil debt in the parish court.

Further, the minister cited section 253 of the regulations to the Road traffic Act which prohibits the operation of vehicles carrying goods that are not safely contained or securely fastened.

“Our roads are not dumping grounds. The reckless spilling of cement and other debris not only violates the law, but significantly damages our road surfaces and endangers the lives of motorists,” Morgan said.

“I am calling on the police to increase enforcement across the island. Truck drivers and their respective companies must know that if you damage the roads you will be held accountable.”

The spillage of concrete mix on road surfaces has been a sore point for motorists for years.

Mountain View Avenue, at the intersection of Arthur Wint Drive, is one of several examples often cited where the build-up of concrete mix has left huge craters in heavily-traversed roadways.

It was recently resurfaced, but already concrete mix has again been spilled onto the roadway.

Morgan noted that the Government has spent billions of dollars through the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) and Relief Emergency Assistance and Community Help (REACH) programmes to upgrade the country's road infrastructure.

“We cannot allow this kind of carelessness to undermine that progress. People are angry and frustrated at the destruction of our roads,” he said.

The minister also urged construction companies, haulers and drivers to adopt stricter safety and containment measures when transporting materials.

- Livern Barrett

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