Police do their best to manage the flow of traffic despite numerous accidents and delays.
Cayman's Roads
Unofficially, the number of people living and working here is thought to be at 90,000 (February 2026). With the new CI Government still coalescing around a workable national development strategy, and the focus in the tourism sector pivoting to stay-over guests, indications suggest a potential breaking point in Cayman’s already overburdened road and transport systems.
However, Cayman’s key routes have seen changes recently, and the sight of road workers sweltering in the midday sun as drivers navigate seemingly endless traffic cones is common, representing a valiant attempt to alleviate the island’s peak-hour traffic congestion.
With very few public or mass transport options available, commuters have little choice but to use their own vehicles. And, with the Islands’ inhabitants experiencing a serious growth spurt and the National Roads Authority (NRA) estimating the mushrooming population to hit 100,000 by 2036, that means even more cars, vans, trucks, mopeds, scooters, e-bikes and motorcycles on Cayman's roads.
It is no surprise then that in 2023, Deloitte was commissioned by the Government to assess the Island’s public transport systems, finding that CI$25-30+ million of investment is needed to create a government-run bus network. Unfortunately, nothing of substance has been introduced subsequent to this report.
The need to find new ways to alleviate rush hour congestion is a contentious issue among residents, and the debate continues to grow in fervour. It is widely believed that the pace of residential development in Grand Cayman is outstripping the highway infrastructure necessary to support it. Nevertheless, as of February 2026, there are several NRA projects in various stages of development.
Projects On Hold
Unlikely to move forward is the long-gestating East West Arterial extension (aka the Rex Crighton Boulevard) to Frank Sound Road. After environmental impact studies and assessments were completed and readied for presentation to Cabinet, the new Government stated that until the public finances crisis has been resolved, there simply isn’t the money to continue the costly project past Phase 1, which terminates opposite the Agricola Drive and Shamrock Road T-junction.
Other hitherto much-touted projects also appear to be on hold whilst the new Government manages the budget deficit, such as the extension and beautification of Godfrey Nixon Way, with a landscaped median connecting Eastern Avenue to the main George Town area. The plans called for an arboreal, neighbourhood feel.
The next phase of the Airport Connector Road, continuing the route all the way to the George Town Barcadere has also stalled.
Projects Moving Forward
In positive news, steady progress continues to be made toward enhancing traffic flow and improving road safety for all users at the Frank Sound Road and Bodden Town Road intersection, historically an accident blackspot.
Better still, the so-called King’s Connector, which began construction in June of 2024, is scheduled for completion sometime in 2026. It is the realignment and widening of Crewe Road (westbound and eastbound from Grand Harbour). This is the next stage of a multi-phase development that involves increasing the number of lanes on the primary Grand Harbour arterials and their intersections to six, and adding a service road from Edgewater Way. As part of the project, one of the extra traffic lanes became available for road users in August of 2025, running eastbound beyond the Lions Centre. The addition marks the next stage in the ongoing project aimed at boosting overall traffic flow in the area which has long been considered a bottleneck, and the main cause of rush hour traffic for commuters coming from the eastern districts. But with 28,000 vehicles expected to be passing through the area by 2036 (which is a 57% increase on the current amount), the challenge is huge.
You can find out more about these and other projects by visiting www.caymanroads.com
Cayman's Drivers
The Problem
Cayman’s road death rate is six times higher than the UK’s, with evidence suggesting speeding, DUI, and poor driving behaviour are the key causes, coupled with a lack of enforcement from local traffic police. Whilst it would be very easy to point the blame at certain driver demographics (social media users often do), it is a common belief held in Cayman that existing driver testing is outdated and ineffective, and behaviour-focused solutions, such as simulator-based re-testing, is the only way to meaningfully improve road safety. Particularly as the current driving population (like the actual population) is made up of up to140 countries, each with their own standards and driving practices.
You can review the most up to date traffic statistics here.
Possible Solutions
- Liberalise the taxi industry and allow use ride-sharing apps to reduce drink driving
- Explore robo-taxis as a safe, forward-thinking transport option
- Redesign dangerous road layouts and intersections to reduce accidents
- Set realistic speed limits and enforce them consistently with speed cameras (Government plans to fund speed cameras in the 2026–27 budget, pending regulations and Cabinet approval, with phased installation at high-risk locations to improve road safety).
- Regulate electric bikes, scooters and similar devices with testing, licensing and insurance (Revised legislation should come into effect March 2026)
- Use AI cameras to detect and penalise distracted driving
- Ban or restrict unsafe vehicles and improve vehicle inspections, emissions and noise testing
- Improve cyclist safety with protected bike lanes and equal enforcement for all road users**
- Introduce a licence points system, higher penalties for repeat offenders and insurance-based incentives for safe driving
**In January 2026, it was announced that the National Roads Authority (NRA), operating under the National Road Safety Committee, plans to introduce new “3 FEET – IT’S THE LAW” signs across the road network as part of wider road safety initiatives.
Once approved by Cabinet and formally incorporated into the Cayman Islands Road Code, the signs will be installed in areas with heavy bicycle use, including routes popular with recreational cyclists and commuters, such as South Church Street and other major roads.
Traffic Enforcement Consultancy Bid
In February of 2026, Government issued a request for proposals seeking consultants to design an automated traffic enforcement and management system, as congestion and road accidents continue to rise on Grand Cayman. Rather than focusing on a much-needed public transport system upgrade, the Government has taken the approach that technology-enabled enforcement is more important as part of its long-term National Road Safety Strategy and “Road to Zero” plan. The consultants will ultimately develop the legal, operational and technical framework for phased implementation, including automated speeding enforcement. Officials stress the goal is improved safety, transparency and accountability, and that any system will be carefully designed to suit Cayman’s needs, with input from multiple agencies.
Taxis and Rideshare Apps
There's a CI Government app that calculates the distance and taxi fares.
After years of complaints that different taxis charged different rates for the same journey, the Cayman Island's Government have created a digital taxifare calculator, CI:GO, which can be downloaded from the App store. It is free and is available on iOS and in the Google Play Store.
For other taxi companies you can call Ace (345) 949 3676, Blue Iguana Taxi (345) 916 3306 or Crown (345) 916 0111.
Rideshare Apps
Island: GO! provides app-based, affordable, reliable transport in Grand Cayman, with clear pricing, friendly local drivers, clean vehicles, 24/7 service, and safety features for residents and tourists, and modern convenience.
Benefits of Owning a Car
Nonetheless, the most convenient, comfortable and speedy mode of transport on-Island is owning your own car. Temperature, relentless summer rains, precarious driving and the lack of sidewalks rule out the options of walking or cycling, while the local bus network is intermittent and does not cover all areas. In addition, waiting in the hot sunshine to then sit on a crowded minibus with little, or no air conditioning, is not everyone’s idea of the ideal daily commute. There are some major bonuses that Cayman car travel retains: little traffic (outside of rush-hour), free parking in 99% of locations and virtually no traffic wardens! If you are a couple or have a family, then the discussion will arise as to whether you need one car or two. In our experience, you will need two cars, unless you are prepared to be entirely beholden to the person that has the car.