Transportation

With Cayman's rapid development, it has been a real challenge for the Island's transport infrastructure, and vehicle and traffic management systems, to cope with the increasing strain. With hundreds of thousands of visitors per year and over 85,000 in the local population, it is safe to say there are a lot of vehicles on Cayman roads at any given time of the day. These are of course mostly cars, but also a few motorcycles, bicycles and electric scooters.

Rules of the Roadkeyboard_arrow_right

There are also over 130 different nationalities represented in Cayman, whether by visitors or residents, which means there are drivers from all around the world where traffic laws can be quite different.

Unfortunately, a significant number of minor accidents stem from drivers' unfamiliarity or outright disregard for these regulations. Moreover, a prevalent issue is the substantial occurrence of reckless driving.

In 2023, Cayman's roads witnessed a concerning surge in accidents, with an alarming average of about nine, (CR - collective sigh of disbelief at this number), collisions occurring daily. The primary culprits behind this were speeding and alcohol consumption while driving. Notably, speeding offenses soared by over 50% compared to the previous year, with authorities issuing a record 4,600+ tickets. Fortunately, we can be thankful for a decrease in the number of fatalities on the previous year. That being said, 9 persons still lost their lives needlessly on Cayman's roads in 2023.

The incidence of drink-driving saw a disturbing rise, with 270 individuals prosecuted, a third of whom were found to triple, (yes you read that right), triple the legal alcohol limit of 0.07%, (70mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood).

The total number of traffic offenses recorded by the RCIPS in 2023 reached 10,716, marking a 14% increase from the year prior.

In April 2024, Police Commissioner Kurt Walton addressed the concerning trend, highlighting specific areas such as the Esterley Tibbetts Highway and Linford Pierson Highway where speeding was particularly prevalent.

In response to community complaints, law enforcement deployed a specialised unit to the eastern districts, where admittedly some of the roads have higher speed limits, nevertheless, this resulted in additional prosecutions.

As of writing, the full statistical report for traffic offences and accidents that took place in 2024 is yet to be released. However, the RCIPS seasonal three-week Winter Guardian road safety campaign in December 2024 recorded 550 traffic-related incidents, including two fatal collisions, 85 speeding offences and 23 DUIs. In addition, 21 drivers were cited for using mobile phones while driving, and 122 people were prosecuted for driving vehicles without the required licensing or registration. Most serious of all, road fatalities increased from 9 deaths in 2023 to 14 in 2024, four of which took place in December alone. As a result, calls from the community and its leaders to change the Island's poor driving culture have been widespread.

Whatever the causes, these statistics underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the deteriorating state of road safety in the Cayman Islands.

Several other less reprehensible but equally dangerous factors contribute to road accidents in the Cayman Islands, including distracted driving, driver fatigue, lack of driving experience, poor road conditions, and mechanical failures. These elements collectively contribute to the concerning frequency of road incidents in the region.

All things considered, it is crucial that drivers know the rules of Cayman’s roads. You can find them here.

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Public Buseskeyboard_arrow_right

A public mini-bus transport system connects all districts of Grand Cayman. The buses have a number in a coloured circle, making them easy to identify. There are some bus stops along major routes, but you can flag down a passing bus at any point. When you want to get off, just let your driver know. Fares are CI$2-CI$2.50 for short trips, CI$3.50 to East End and CI$8 to Cayman Kai. If you are going to the end of the line, check with the bus driver that there will be a bus coming back to pick you up, especially if you'll be traveling back late in the afternoon. For an additional fee of CI$1-$3 it is possible to ask your driver to deviate a little from the bus route and drop you at your destination. You can then arrange for them to pick you up on the return journey by another bus driver, although you might have to wait a bit!

The best routes for buses are on the main roads around retail areas and non-residential areas. However, there are regular scheduled buses which run along South Church Street, South Sound Road, Walkers Road, Fairbanks Road and the Industrial Park, Owen Roberts Drive. Click here to view the bus route map.

Approximate bus running times: Monday to Thursday 5am-7pm with a reduced service from 7pm-11pm. On Friday and Saturday there is a reduced service, and a limited service on Sunday.

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Driving in Caymankeyboard_arrow_right

The Cayman Islands have very strict rules about driving a vehicle in Cayman so read on for the rules for visitors and those for residents. Visitors must have a full, valid driver's licence from a Convention country and can then drive for six months. Visitors who have a full licence but not from a Convention country can only drive for one month in Cayman.

Residents (and those with a work permit) are permitted to drive on an International Driver's permit for as long as it is valid but those with a full and valid domestic licence from a Convention country can only drive in Cayman for up to six months and then they must take and pass the written theory test. If they wait longer than six months then they have to take the practical and the theory test!

For residents who have a full domestic licence from a non Convention county they can only drive for one month in Cayman and then they must take and pass both the practical and theory tests before they can get a full Cayman driving licence. Please note that you must always have a copy of your driving licence and a copy of your car insurance with you at all times when driving! It's the law. Also worth noting if you will be driving a friend or family member's car while you are in Cayman, that almost all car insurance only covers people to drive from the age of 23 to 70. The insurance company will often be very willing to add someone to the insurance for a small fee but you must remember to check or your 75 year old mother-in-law may well be driving an uninsured car!

Bicycles & Scooters

Cars are not the only way to get around in the Cayman Islands – there are a growing amount of people who choose to ride scooters, electric scooters and motorcycles and an increasing amount who choose to ‘go green’ and bike it from place to place.

Ferry Boat

Cayman has a very reliable ferry service that runs from Camana Bay to Kaibo and back, and from the Newlands public dock to Camana Bay and back. Tickets are purchased through their app and you can visit www.caymanferries.com.ky for more information. Alternatively visit the App Store and search for Cayman Ferries Passenger. You cannot buy tickets on the ferry.

Prices are as follows:
Commuter round trip return from or to Newlands - Camana Bay CI$24 (adult)
One way from or to Newlands and Camana Bay CI$12
Roundtrip between Camana Bay and Kaibo CI$25 (adult) or CI$15 (children)
One way from or two Camana bay and Kaibo CI$12.50

Their schedule can be viewed on their website or you can send a text or WhatsApp to +1 (345) 325 7777 and they will get right back to you. The ferry does not run on a Monday. You are welcome to carry a bicycle on the ferry.

National Road Safety Plan

A comprehensive road safety plan for the Cayman Islands released in November of 2023, outlines strategies for the government to decrease fatalities, injuries, and offenses on the islands' roads over the next 15 years. Proposed measures include the implementation of sidewalks along all roads, the introduction of speed cameras, the creation of cycle paths and stricter enforcement with increased penalties for traffic offenses.

The primary objectives include achieving a 30% reduction in road fatalities by 2028 and ultimately eliminating them entirely by 2038. The release of this plan coincides with the ongoing challenge of a higher number of road deaths in the Cayman Islands, particularly in Grand Cayman, in comparison to many other developed countries.

The strategy outlines actions that could be taken almost immediately including stricter penalties for traffic offenses such as driving under the influence, speeding, and distracted driving. It emphasizes enforcing existing distracted driving laws, targeting high-risk behavior, and investing in effective public education campaigns. Additionally, measures include implementing lower speed limits in pedestrian-heavy areas, enhancing safety for vulnerable road users, and prioritizing the development of safer roads.

Longer term plans include rigorous research on emerging vehicle and infrastructure technology, strengthening penalties for drink-and drug-influenced driving, and developing a speed camera strategy. Collaboration with the police for enhanced enforcement, creating national programs, and improving road design to include bike lanes are part of the plan. Road safety education is emphasized for all age groups, with a focus on children, media campaigns, and driver education programs.

The report also recommends a new heavy vehicle strategy and enhancing the government vehicle fleet with safety technologies, implementing a graduated licensing scheme for young drivers, providing comprehensive crash data analysis, and supporting the development of safer vehicles in general.

Transport Statistics at a Glance

Currently on the Roads

• Average number of imported cars over the last five years (ending in 2022): 4,790 vehicles per year
• 55,963 actively licensed vehicles on the road by mid 2024
• Total of 64,284 driver’s licences issued or still valid by mid 2024

Traffic Offenses in 2023

• 391 tickets issued for drivers using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle
• 604 traffic fines issued for vehicle window tint in excess of the permitted limit
• RCIPS issued over 4,644 speeding tickets in 2023, an increase of over 53% from the total issued in 2022

Electric Vehicles

• 648 electric vehicles licensed in Cayman by mid 2024
• Over 30 public vehicle charging stations in the Cayman Islands as of November 1st, 2023

Road Accidents in 2023

• 3,196 road collisions in 2023, marking an 11% increase from 2022
• 9 road collision fatalities, thankfully a decrease of 6 on the previous year
• Speeding and DUI identified as primary causes, with 270 individuals brought before the court for DUI-related offenses in 2023
• 43% of DUI offenses involved those driving at double the 0.07% drink-drive limit or more
• Over 61 car crashes per week in 2023.

Sources: RCIPS, ESO, DVLA, CI GOV, CITA