The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda is urging motorists to exercise greater caution on the nation’s roads as collisions continue to rise, with the warning coming ahead of the busy Easter weekend.

Police say two road fatalities have already been recorded for 2026, while overall crashes have increased compared with last year, pointing to a concerning trend.

Traffic data shows 637 collisions so far this year, up from 621 during the same period last year.

Sergeant Leonel of the Traffic Division said the increase is being driven by both speeding and inattentive driving, noting that many motorists are failing to follow basic road rules.

“Drivers are not taking their time … they are not applying the rules and regulations of the road,” he said, warning that such behavior is leading directly to more crashes.

He also pushed back against the perception that young drivers are primarily responsible, saying adults between the ages of 25 and 35 are frequently involved in collisions.

With increased travel expected over the long holiday weekend, police are calling on drivers to remain focused, avoid distractions, and adhere to traffic laws.

Authorities say enforcement and public awareness efforts will be intensified as part of ongoing efforts to curb the rise in accidents.