Warner also promised to look into the issue of contingency traffic plans not just for the north-south highway but other high traffic routes, including Port of Spain, which is a traffic and transportation nightmare whenever there is flooding.
With respect to the accident, the minister said he intends to find out whether it is human error, a mechanical issue or other factor, and to find out what more can be done by the government and his ministry to reduce such accidents.
The traffic gridlock occurred along the Northbound Lane of the Uriah Butler and Solomon Hochoy Highways. Warner called the horrendous traffic jam "nothing short of a disaster."
He noted that while accidents will occur, "it is how we manage the fallout that will determine the level of disruption, chaos and inconvenience exacted upon our citizens."
In a media release Warner said he empathised and sympathised with the thousands of commuters who were "victims" of the gridlock.
And he also commended the police, fire services, T&TEC employees and all other responders to the accident on the Uriah Butler Highway. "I am advised they responded promptly and set to work restoring the traffic flow," he said.
"I am advised that traffic on the Northbound Lane of the highway stretched past Couva. Every flyover, intersection and back road heading to Grand Bazaar was congested and in some cases choked," he said.
He added, "At one time an ambulance got stuck in the traffic near the Bird Sanctuary Flyover as even the shoulders of the highway were occupied by some insensitive drivers."
Warner said such a state of affairs should not have been allowed to happen and was also critical of motorists who occupied the shoulders of the highways.
"Their actions threatened the safety of others and placed lives at risk. Further, while the police performed admirably this morning, there is a feeling that some more attention could have been placed on certain aspects of traffic management," the minister stated.
Warner said there is need to develop and implement contingency plans ro deal with such situations, noting that it was not the first such accident on a highway nor will it be the last.
"The entire country cannot be allowed to grind to a halt because one vehicle is obstructing the road...
"The impact of this morning’s gridlock extends far beyond the inconvenience to the thousands of commuters until the road was reopened at 8 am.
"Sitting in that traffic were public servants, store workers, administrative personnel...and productivity would have been hampered. Work that could have been taking place in Port of Spain was not being done because the persons to do those jobs were caught in the traffic. This is unacceptable and cannot continue," Warner declared.
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