Some motorists in Barbados are being surprised by traffic tickets arriving in the mail – complete with photographs of their vehicles allegedly committing offences.
The new electronic ticketing system has caught several drivers off-guard, with notices requesting that they report to a police station or face a court summons.
The Barbados Police Service has been installing cameras and other infrastructure linked to the Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR) system at key points. These devices capture violations such as speeding, unlicensed or unregistered vehicles and fictitious number plates.
One motorist, who recently received a letter from police, said he was startled by the development.
“I was surprised when I came home and saw the letter,” he said.
“I’m not planning to challenge it as I was across that road and could be going at that speed.”
According to the correspondence, the driver’s vehicle was recorded travelling at 102 kilometres per hour along The Belle section of the ABC Highway in St Michael – a zone with a speed limit of 80 kph. The letter, dated 20 days after the alleged offence, included two time-stamped photographs showing the vehicle.
The correspondence detailing the alleged violation contained the registration number, make of vehicle, the person to whom it is registered and the two photographs. The darkness of the photographs made it difficult to distinguish the vehicle, registration number or the location.
The motorist said he complied with the instructions, which directed him to report within seven business days to the Traffic Department at the District “A” Complex with his driver’s licence, insurance policy and registration card.
By the time the letter arrived, four of those days had already passed.
Following through on the matter, the driver, after being ticketed by
one of the officers named in the letter, was warned that he may or may not be prosecuted.
Motorists who ignore the notice risk being summoned to court forthwith to answer the charge.
The General Insurance Association of Barbados (GIAB) also weighed in on the new system last week, warning that the technology could create complications for people who buy or sell vehicles without formally updating the ownership records at the Barbados Licensing Authority.
“Consequently, the vehicle is considered to still belong to the owner on record,” the GIAB said in a statement.
“With electronic traffic tickets now being emailed directly to drivers, this will be an additional challenge for those who are still on record.”
Electronic ticketing is already common in countries such as the United States, where traffic violations – many involving speeding – are automatically recorded and offenders notified by email or text message.
Since Thursday, the Sunday Sun has been trying to get a comment from the top brass of the police but there has been no response.
(AC)
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