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'I got into 3 accidents' due to bad parking by others- Premier Smith

- supports zoning regulations to address roadside parking
Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), Premier and Minister of Finance, has called for zoning regulations to address the longstanding issue of vehicles parking along the road side. Photo: VINO
A resident of the Sixth District voicing concerns about the parking issue within the territory. Photo: VINO
A resident of the Sixth District voicing concerns about the parking issue within the territory. Photo: VINO
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - Noting that he has been the victim of some three vehicular accidents due to bad parking by others along roadsides, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) announced during the Sixth District consultation meeting that he is in support of having zoning regulations in the Territory.

The Sixth district Recovery and Development Plan consultation meeting was held on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies in Baugher’s Bay.

“There is a problem with parking and there is no doubt about that. I myself have gotten into three accidents on a corner where people should not have been parking and you cannot see. The Town and Planning Department has some specifications about how many parking lot they must have and they try to enforce it but they have difficulty enforcing it,” explained the Premier.

He continued, “We have a lot of laws on our books but we are not being as vigilant in enforcing them as we should and this is something that I have been concerned about. We have to take them more seriously and to ensure that the laws are rally followed and put in place other things that need to be put in place like zoning regulations.”

Zoning regulations specify whether zones can be used for residential, commercial, institutional or open space purposes, that may also regulate lot size, placement, bulk (or density) and the height of structures. Some zoning regulations also determine parking restrictions or require designated parking spaces.

Premier Smith was at the time responding to questions by the residents of the Sixth district about the longstanding parking issues within the territory.

Enforce the laws

One resident gave an example of an incident that took place at Qwomar Trading Limited in Baughers Bay where there was an accident and the ambulance could not get in due to the vehicles parked along the side of the road.

“The people building houses to rent and businesses and they do not have anywhere to park for the customers or persons renting the apartments. Sometimes they leave their cars their all day and all night. For example, right there by Qwomar –that’s a dangerous thing right now- because you going out and you coming in and vehicles are parked on both sides of the road. One time it had some incident there and ambulance couldn’t get in because the two sides of the road were filled with parked vehicles. So I want to know what is the government doing about this issue?” asked the resident.

Another frustrated resident passionately urged the government to enforce the laws that they currently have in order to make sure businesses and apartment buildings have sufficient parking lots.

22 Responses to “'I got into 3 accidents' due to bad parking by others- Premier Smith”

  • Or Maybe... (08/02/2018, 17:41) Like (22) Dislike (8) Reply
    You just can't drive!
  • trrefdrfds (08/02/2018, 17:57) Like (18) Dislike (5) Reply
    So it's about him not about us! Mr zzzzzz need to go
  • Josiahsbay (08/02/2018, 17:58) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Government should consider parthnering with a private traffic agency to inforce traffic regulations. Giving that agency the power to ticket violators and the proceeds should be shared between the two bodies. The potential for revenue generation should provide enough insentive for them to do a good job.
  • Parking woes (08/02/2018, 18:16) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    There is indeed a problem with parking especially in Road Town. Try going to Scotia Bank parking lot, there's a car wash operating and now a 'RESTAURANT' decided to get in on the act and take up valuable space. Over by Sunny Caribee parking lot it seems as if a food van is now there operating. What is being done about this situation?
  • pat (08/02/2018, 18:40) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
    People hungry and Mr zzzzzz telling we about himself boss next election you gone
  • Zzzzz soup (08/02/2018, 19:45) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
    I got into an accident because of the dam potholes strupes mash up my car.
  • See (08/02/2018, 21:11) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    A couple of years ago you were praising the criminals who out up these large buildings with no parking spaces as great entrepenures . So much for blind vision and now we all pay the price . Roadtown is one big sh- - show with no enforcement of ANYTHING except seat belts and cell phones. But now the Premier cant park or drive so there is a problem . Have we all lost our minds here ? When will this complete farce end ? Save our country .... it is getting very late
    • dog (08/02/2018, 23:50) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      It is about time we are talking about zoning. I have been calling for it for years. you can't just build what you want where you want without consequences with neighbours, infrastructure, utilities, blocked views of others, height, even bad architecture. It is time for master planning and coordination to have a better functioning Road Town, businesses and neighbourhoods. Those large buildings without setbacks or parking spaces are indeed CRIMINAL yet you want the owner to be on the recovery board handling money?
  • tretretrete (08/02/2018, 21:31) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Zzzz you got into those accidents because you were sleeping at the helm leave the driving to some one else or call a bus/cab
  • tola (08/02/2018, 21:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lol this is joke look thing to talk so we don't have a say too Mr ....xxxx in our
  • Mavverik (09/02/2018, 06:26) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    Stop lying. We are sick of u n day about now
  • HAHAHA (09/02/2018, 06:38) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    You may have gotten into 3 accidents. Parking Cars are never wrong in accidents even if they park in the middle of the road or around a corner. Those are different offences. The onus is on driver to pay due care and attention when dtiving... Make sure you are yoir driver pay attention and focus on the road. The next time might be serious and we dont want anything bad to happen to you...
  • Boo (09/02/2018, 06:49) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Happy that he was not injured in the 3 accidents. But chesseee some bread I pray for the poor state of the bvi under his lack of leadership
  • Hmmmy (09/02/2018, 10:20) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why is this ole fart behind a wheel to begin with? He is a risk to the public, I thoughts had a driver...
  • zzzzz (09/02/2018, 12:23) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Maybe if you stop sleeping at the wheel like you do in government you would get into accidents.
  • @Hmmmmy (09/02/2018, 17:41) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    No need to call names. That was so disrespectful. Remember you will get old one day too and you would not like it If a younger person says that to you.
  • LOST BOYS (11/02/2018, 22:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    These dumb and hateful comments do more damage to this country than Irma and Maria. Get a life....grab some education.


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