Following the presentation of a proposed new Traffic Public Safety System for the Bahamas to reduce vehicular accidents, injuries, death and property damage, the Minister of Transport and Local Government the Honorable Frankie Campbell said that the proposal was, “timely, and a serious initiative that deserves discussion to weigh the benefits to society.”
The proposal by Bahamian company Intelligent Enforcement (IntelEnforce) followed on the heels of a Press Briefing by Minister Campbell on July 26 where he announced alarming statistics for road traffic accidents and deaths for the year to date.
“Some of our brightest and best have perished in accidents, or suffered life altering injuries which have devastated their families and diminished our nation’s capacity to be at its very best,” said the Minister at that briefing.
Donavan Paul CEO of IntelEnforce who proposed the new Traffic Public Safety System to the Minister, senior members of the Ministry of Transport and Local Government, the Road Safety Committee, and the Royal Bahamas Police Force, said the system would become an essential part of the Road Traffic Departments modernization started in October, 2016.
“This modern Traffic Public Safety System will deter traffic violators through computerizing and automating traffic enforcement, adding to the government’s public safety initiatives.
With almost 1,000 traffic fatalities since 2000, and a staggering 1,000 hit and run consecutive annual reports, topped by reports of thousands of traffic accidents annually causing lifetime bodily injuries, inconveniences and significant property damage, we agree with the Minister that law and order and public safety is needed on our roads,” said Mr. Paul.
Mr. Arteaga IntelEnforce IT Chief explained the digital surveillance camera-based system. “This road traffic safety system 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 an electronic traffic violation ticket.”
Records show that vehicle accidents killed 23 people so far this year and 66 people were seriously injured; hit and run accidents number 644 and damage to property and vehicles stands at 4,533.
IntelEnforce CEO Donavan Paul pointed out that while many of the positive effects of automating traffic enforcement are anecdotal, it can’t be denied that the awareness that there might be cameras on any given roadway tracking speed, tends to affect the psychology of many drivers. “Motorists who would otherwise not be cautious tend to think twice about speeding, especially in urban areas and school zones.
Fewer accidents reduces the strain on our already overtaxed societal infrastructure including hospitals, clinics, our blood bank, relatives, employment, emergency and social services, and the cost of insurance.”
Mr Paul said that the proposal calls for a Public, Private Partnership (PPP) and would alleviate the government of expected high upfront costs.
“The most successful implementations to date for this type of initiative are established through Public Private Partnerships.
In this case government would make a small initial commitment, and the bulk cost is initially covered by the private sector and then returned before both share in the responsibility and returns going forward.
During a recent month-long test period our computerized records recorded $1.2 million dollars of road misdemeanours on just one of our roads. As a PPP, revenue from offenders’ tickets is split 50-50 with the government,” explained Mr. Paul.
“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 any initial stake or investment in about a year and garner an immediate effect on the public safety on the roads of New Providence without having to worry about management costs or hardware expansion.”
IntelEnforce operates as an authorized local Infrastructure management and service provider delivering industry security standards to their installations. Their expertise and work enables law enforcers to get on with their mandated jobs, relieved of such burdens as service and management of the automated systems that assist them.
They benefit directly from the efficiency and effectiveness of the automated technology which increases their ability to serve the nation.
A proposal to bring improved safety and law and order enforcement to our roads was presented to the Honourable Frankie A. Campbell, MP Minister of Transport and Local Government, (seated). Present were senior members of his Ministry, the Road Safety Committee and the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Donavan Paul CEO of IntelEnforce proposed the Traffic Public Safety System, saying its implementation would be an essential part of the Road Traffic Departments modernization started last October. L-R: Italia Cartwright, IntelEnforce Legal Officer; Michael Arteaga, IntelEnforce Chief Information Technology Officer; Donavan Paul, IntelEnforce CEO; Lorraine Symonette-Armbrister, Ministry Permanent Secretary; Felecia Bazard-Boyle, IntelEnforce Chief Financial Officer; Chief Superintendent Craig Stubbs, Royal Bahamas Police Force. Photo: Serena Williams Public Relations.
About Intelligent Enforcement Ltd. (IntelEnforce)
Intelligent Enforcement’s goal is to elevate local enforcement with proactive tools for real time monitoring and effective enforcement linking reactive cameras to proactive scanners, radars and sensors to protect public thoroughfares and critical infrastructure from traffic and internet offenders, structural vandalism and constant usage. The primary objective of Intelligent Enforcement is to operate as an authorized local Infrastructure as a Service “IaaS” Provider delivering industry security standards. By doing so enforcers are relieved of such burdens and benefit directly, through technology, increasing efficiency and effectiveness and ultimately improving the nation.
