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May 19, 2006 – Senator Pedro M. Encarnacion has sponsored legislation to prohibit the sale and use of traffic control signal preemption devices, under penalty of a fine of up to $750, or by both fine and imprisonment.
A traffic signal preemption system is an electrical device or devices that allow a traffic control signal to respond uniquely to the approach of a vehicle at or near a highway intersection. Such systems are designed to increase safety and reduce emergency response times of emergency personnel. They were not designed for the average driver.
"We have to be one step ahead of the game, If you think the roads in the Virgin Islands have traffic safety problems now, just imagine if individuals could go online and purchase a traffic signal device that would allow drivers to change traffic signals from their cars, at will," said Senator Encarnacion. "These devices are currently being sold over the Internet. You simply plug it into the vehicle's cigarette lighter and you're ready to go, potentially creating havoc and chaos on the Virgin Islands' roadways."
The bill, Bill # 26-0249 is presently being circulation among the members of the legislator for their support, and will be heard on a scheduled hearing on Monday, May 22, 2006, by Encarnacion's committee, Committee on Public Safety, Homeland Security and Justice.
"While our police, fire and emergency vehicles might be equipped with such devices, with which no one would argue are needed, I would ask you to imagine other motorists, delivery workers, and even teenagers, using these to speed through intersections. The bill to ban the use of these devices, is meant to cut a traffic nightmare off at the intersections and ensure that the Virgin Islands roads are among the safest," said Senator Encarnacion.
