The Tribune

A Bahamian technology provider has introduced its traffic safety system to Bahamas Insurance Association (BIA) members, seeking their support for its introduction on New Providence.

Intelligent Enforcement (IntelEnforce) principal, Donovan Paul, and his chief information technology officer, Michael Arteaga, told the 18 BIA members present that the Bahamas needed to crackdown on road users who violated speed limits and ran red lights.

With almost 1,000 traffic fatalities since 2000, and 1,000 annual 'hit and run' incidents, IntelEnforce is pushing a modern traffic safety system as a means to reduce bodily injuries, and lessen vehicle and property damage.

Mr Paul, described the new traffic safety system as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, enabling both the Government and private sector investor to benefit financially.

"Considering the revenue projections attached to the one-month pilot test we did on one stretch of road near our office in central New Providence, we believe the Government could recover their initial stake or investment in about a year, and garner an immediate effect on the traffic public safety system without having to worry about management costs or hardware expansion,"he added.

Mr Arteaga said the system is a third-generation radar speed metre police tool. "This tool not only records the speed of a vehicle per lane, but also records video of the entire scene, taking two still pictures just seconds apart. Based on the offence, the offender may receive a traffic violation ticket," he explained.

BIA members were told that the new system's benefits would include fewer traffic accidents; reduced traffic fatalities; better traffic flow; prevention of property damage; increased revenue for the Bahamas; a reduced burden on the judicial system; automatic and digital record-keeping, eliminating warrants being issued for paid tickets; and a more attractive tourism product.

Emmanuel Komolafe, the BIA's chairman, said the proposed system, if adopted by the Government, would benefit the Bahamas.

"It seems fair to state that there was a consensus among our members that attended the presentation by IntelEnforce that the proposal, if adopted and properly implemented, could significantly benefit the country," Mr Komolafe said.

"Apart from the obvious advantages in relation to safety on our roads, and an expected reduction in the loss of life and casualties, there are potential benefits to our members and the economy. The likely decline in traffic violations and road crime statistics could result in a reduction in insurance claims, and potentially lower insurance renewal costs.

"However, these benefits can only be maximised - and the system fully utilised to achieve the set objectives - via a public-private partnership. In the case of the insurance industry, access to pertinent information and the system will determine how much our members, as well as their clients, benefit from this new paradigm."

Vibert Williams, NAGICO (Bahamas) executive director, said: "I think this is a wonderful system. I think it's a starting point, and it's good. However, there has to be a firm commitment to the collaboration and sharing of information between the insurance companies, the Road Traffic Department and the Government for this to work and be successful."

Bede D. Sands, director at Orry J. Sands & Company, described it as "a great system; we have no problem with it".

Apart from Mr Komolafe, other attendees came from J.S Johnson Insurance Agents & Brokers; Bahamas First; Caribbean Alliance Insurance; RoyalStar Assurance; RMS Insurance Agents & Brokers; NAGICO Insurances (Bahamas) Ltd; Bahamas Motor Assessing & Claims; Orry J. Sands & Company; and Insurance Company of the West Indies.