This image was captured by a concerned motorist at the Bonne Terre-Mochy gap in October 2013.
Sergeant of Police Leontius Joseph of the Central Traffic Department said persons in the habit of hitching a ride in open back vehicles should desist from this practice.
Joseph’s comment comes in light of a recent accident in which a man fell from a pickup in Babonneau and died five days later in hospital.
Joseph told St Lucia News Online (SNO) today, October 2, it is unlawful to have persons traveling at the back of vehicles without having proper security measures in place and seating arrangements.
“The law requires that when you have an open back vehicle like a truck, it is for the sole purpose of carrying goods and the use of the vehicle is for goods, and of course that is what it is intended for,” he explained.
However, Joseph advised that if drivers want to have persons riding at the back of their vehicles, provision must be made for that to happen.
“Permission must be granted from the Ministry of Infrastructure and would require the driver to put proper seats in place, before he or she can begin to transport persons in the back,” he explained.
The traffic official said persons engaging in such acts can be arrested and charged if required security measures are not in place, but noted however that the police force have expressed a level of leniency with persons over the years.
“We have used our discretion because persons in remote areas rely on such transport as a means to get home and we are most times lenient with persons depending on the circumstances. However, we have arrested a number of persons over the years,” he added.
Joseph said persons who are transporting people at the back of their vehicles should seek the advice of the authorities and ensure that it is done legally. He said it may be hazardous to life.
The most recent victim, Ernest Alexander, 39, also known as Oleon of Fond Assau, Babonneau, a father of two, passed away yesterday, October 1 in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Victoria Hospital.
Alexander suffered serious head injuries when he fell from the pickup around 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27. The vehicle was heading to Cacoa from a funeral reception at the Babonneau Multi-Purpose Centre when Alexander fell.