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MARIGOT--In view of the high death toll from scooter accidents this year, the Préfecture and the Collectivité have decided to strategically place symbolic reminders of the deceased in the form of a black silhouette of an accident victim in the districts where the accidents occurred.
The first silhouette was installed outside French Quarter Collège on Monday in the presence of Préfet Philippe Chopin, President of the Collectivité Aline Hanson, representative of the Recteur of Guadeloupe Jean-Marie Jespere, representatives of the Gendarmerie and French Quarter Collège Principal Daniel Gumbs.
The black silhouettes in the shape of a person have a red flash through the head that represents blood. Six of these silhouettes will be installed on Friday representing the five scooter fatalities and one bicycle fatality. One will be placed in Orient Bay, another in Grand Case, three in French Quarter and one in Lowlands.
In addition, signs will be erected at the borders indicating the number of fatalities.
Préfet Chopin said the initiative, which is also carried out in France, is a symbolic action that not only remembers the deceased, but also creates awareness of road safety. He added there have been no fatalities from car accidents on the French side so far this year.
President Hanson regretted that young lives should be cut short because of recklessness on the road and said families were equally affected, having to make the best of their lives without a loved one. Education on road safety must continue, she said.
The Gendarmerie and its juvenile delinquency brigade visit the schools regularly to create awareness of road safety. Despite this, young people, predominantly under 20 years of age, are seen riding scooters or motorbikes without helmets almost on a daily basis.
