Minister to tackle issue of stray animals on roadways

Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Daryl Vaz, says he is looking to expedite amendments to the Road Traffic Act to levy sanctions against the owners of animals straying on to the roadways and posing serious threat to motorists.

Vaz, who was speaking at the Regency Petroleum Limited Paradise Service Station launch in Westmoreland on Wednesday, said he will be taking up the matter at the next meeting of the National Road Safety Council.

"Six persons have died because of accidents caused by stray animals since the start of the year. Cattle farmers must be held accountable for the deaths and injuries that have resulted from motor vehicle collisions with animals," Vaz noted.

The minister, who cited the recent demise of an 11-year-old child who succumbed following a collision involving a roaming herd of cattle, maintained that it was imperative that this challenge be decisively addressed.

"It is something that the National Road Safety Council, which I will meet with next week, must take a keen look at. We will be having a discussion on it... and you certainly will hear more," Vaz advised.

He emphasised that "this problem will continue to grow unless there are meaningful sanctions".

"The owners of these animals will not make immediate changes to keep them off the streets until there is serious legislative action in the form of substantial fines," Vaz added.

He pointed out that "right now, we are still doing some tweaking to the Road Traffic Act, and I think that this is something that we will have to look at including".