THE Police Traffic Department has disclosed that during this month it will be intensifying its campaign against a number of traffic offences, including the breaching of traffic lights, with the aid of CCTV cameras across the city.According to acting Traffic Chief, Superintendent Dion Moore, the CCTV cameras mounted at junctions where there are traffic lights are monitored by persons at all times. Whenever there is a breach of a light there is a mechanism that sends a signal to the control centre to alert the monitors of the breach, even if they were not looking at that particular camera at the very second.
Moreover, the camera also records the registration number of the vehicles which are found to be in breach of the regulation and the police can then enforce the law by way by sending a summons to the errant drivers to have their day in court.
The police traffic campaign this month will also focus on other offences such as driving under the influence, speeding, breach of the new diagonal parking arrangement in the city, and the use of cellphones by motorists while driving.
The Traffic Chief noted that these offences do contribute to lawlessness and road accidents and sometimes death.
REOPENING OF SCHOOLS
This month also the department will be looking to repaint several pedestrian crossings prior to the reopening of schools countrywide. The police will also conduct a number of road safety talks at schools and via the media and public service announcements.
Superintendent Moore noted that the aim of these initiatives is to reduce the number of accidents and road deaths in comparison to the corresponding period last year.
Meanwhile, added focus will be placed on the manner in which police ranks from the traffic department interact with members of the public. According to Moore, police ranks should not only feel the need to speak politely to persons who are neatly dressed and when it comes to minibus drivers, taxi drivers and other road users the manner of communication degenerates.
That approach has to be a thing of the past, the Traffic Chief stressed. He assured that any report of incidents to the contrary that comes to his office will be investigated and ranks will be hauled over the coals once they are found culpable.