CHARLOTTE AMALIE — College basketball superstar and St. Thomas treasure, Aliyah Boston, has teamed up with the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) and the Office of Highway Safety to encourage safe driving behaviors and improve road use outcomes for residents and visitors alike. The traffic safety campaign is comprised of 4 audio and video ads targeting impaired driving, distracted driving, occupant protection – seat belt and child car safety seat usage – and speeding
“We are excited to partner with Ms. Boston to address traffic safety in the territory,” stated VIPD Commissioner Ray Martinez. “Despite the simplicity of our roads compared to those on the mainland, we record too many avoidable crashes, injuries and fatalities.”
During fiscal year 2021, the territory experienced 4,246 crashes (approximately 12 crashes per day) involving over 8,100 occupants, resulting in over 340 injuries requiring medical care and 11 fatalities. Driving too fast for road conditions accounted for 100 of these crashes, and 72 crashes involved impaired drivers. There were 340 crashes reported to involve unrestrained occupants, causing moderate to serious injuries for 174 occupants. Additionally, with cell phone use becoming more pervasive behind the wheel, many of these crashes resulted from motorists driving while distracted. Commissioner Martinez added, “Shifting the risk-taking habits of motorists and their passengers will create safer roadways for everyone.”
During her visit to the territory in May, star athlete Aliyah Boston witnessed the reckless roadway conduct responsible for this alarming data.
“When I proposed using my platform and voice to encourage highway safety in the U.S. Virgin Islands, I had to jump at it,” Boston said. “It could literally save lives!” It is Ms. Boston’s hope that her notoriety and reputation would provide a convincing voice that would shift risk-taking tendencies for several data-identified target groups. Safe driving habits improve motorway usage outcomes for all road users.
In the NCAA, Boston is the 2022 recipient of the John R. Wooden Award, the 2022 recipient of the Naismith College Women’s Basketball Player of the Year award and the recipient of the 2022 Naismith College Women’s Defensive Player of the Year award.
For more traffic safety information or to help address unsafe roadway practices in the territory, contact the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety through Director O’Neal at [email protected] or Occupant Protection Planner/Coordinator Denise Gomes at [email protected]. You may also contact the office via telephone at (340) 772-3025 or (340) 473-7383.