Governor Jane Owen and Premier Andre Ebanks have urged Cayman Islands residents to embrace a “road to zero” vision on road deaths this holiday season.
In a joint video message launching a new National Road Safety Campaign docuseries, the pair said the initiative is “not about slogans, it’s about people”.
Ebanks said the campaign is designed to bring forward the voices of people who have lived through road tragedies, as well as first responders who witness the aftermath and families who “carry its weight long after the sirens fade”.
“Because we are a small, close community, we all feel the shock when someone loses his or her life on our roads,” he said, adding that for those directly affected “the depth of that pain can’t be imagined”.
The premier said the government is calling on the public to help achieve a “life-affirming goal” of zero road fatalities in the Cayman Islands.
“So, slow down, stay focused and show courtesy,” he said. “These choices often make the difference between life and loss.”
Shared responsibility
In the video, Owen paid tribute to first responders, police and medical professionals “who show courage and compassion in the hardest moments” when crashes occur.
“Their stories remind us that road safety is not about statistics – it’s about lives and the people behind them,” she said.
While she noted that government has a central role in strengthening enforcement and improving public transport, the governor said, “lasting progress absolutely depends on all of us”.
“Whether we’re driving, walking or cycling, every one of us shares responsibility for our choices and for each other’s safety,” she said.
With the holiday season approaching, the leaders urged residents to plan ahead on nights out, designating a sober driver or arranging a lift home rather than driving after drinking.
“Stick to the speed limit and remember, never drive after you’ve been drinking,” Owen said, adding that the stories shared through the campaign “remind us that change begins with us”.
Ebanks said the governor and premier were appealing “with even more urgency” at this time of year for motorists to look out for others, make responsible choices and get home safely “to those who love you”.
The campaign supports the government’s long-term National Road Safety Strategy, which aims to eliminate road fatalities by 2038 under a ‘Safe Roads, Safe Cayman: The Road to Zero’ vision.
