Barbados announces new Road Traffic Accident Investigation Policy; Police to focus on fatalities, serious Injuries

The Barbados Police Service (TBPS) has announced a new Road Traffic Accident Investigation Policy that will come into effect from September 15, 2024. Under the new policy the TBPS will primarily respond to the fatalities and serious injuries.

Further the details related to the additional response criteria were shared during the press conference where the announcement regarding the implementation of the new policy was made, which was held at the Henry Forde and David Simmons Legal and Judicial Complex, Coleridge Street, Bridgetown.

The authorities announced that after the implementation of the new Traffic Accident Investigation Policy, the police officers will attend to cases of road traffic accidents if a pedestrian is involved. The second case that would be responded to would be if there was a mass casualty traffic event.

Another situation that will be intervened is where there is a potential breach of the peace or suspected criminal activity.

Further, the Police will also go to the scene of an accident that has interrupted the free flow of traffic or at the scene where there is a significant road safety issue.

The speakers at the press conference were Attorney General Dale Marshall, Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce, TBPS Communications & Public Affairs Officer Inspector Rodney Inniss, President of the General Insurance Association of Barbados (GIAB) Randy Graham and Insurance Executive Anton Lovell.

Sharing the insights on the new policy Inspector Rodney Inniss stated that the officials will continue to investigate serious injuries and fatalities. He further noted that the insurance industry will handle non-injury accidents.

Updating on the annual statistics, the Inspector Rodney Inniss shared that on an average the Police officials investigate about 7,500 accidents and out of which around 71% of the cases are of minor accidents with damage and no injuries.

Moreover, the Attorney General Dale Marshall supported the new initiative and stated it would help the authorities to utilize the manpower of the Police forces in a better way.

He further added that it has been noted that every year, officials spend thousands of hours attending and investigating traffic accidents, even though it is public service, but the situation the nation is dealing with right now is the lack of police resources, and through this, police resources can be efficiently used.

Also, they will be completely dedicated to solve serious cases that include guns, homicides and burglaries. He further urged the public to show support to the policy, highlighting its benefits for the society and he also shared that the insurance industry is in complete support of this policy.

Further sharing details on the annual payment that the insurance company makes, GIAB President Randy Graham stated they pay around $85 to $90 million for vehicular accidents.

He also pointed out that 90% of accidents do not require a police report and are settled based on driver statements.

In addition to this, the officials noted that the responders of Insurance industry have been provided with complete training by TBPS to gather required information for civil actions.