The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MORE than 900 traffic accidents occurred on Grand Bahama last year, and the Grand Bahama Road Safety Committee, the Police Traffic Division, and other stakeholders are hoping to significantly reduce that number by 30 per cent over a three-year period.

At a press conference on Wednesday, it was announced that five speed monitors will be acquired this year and placed in school zones in Freeport.

Troy McIntosh, city manager at the Grand Bahama Port Authority, said the company is committed to purchasing five speed monitors every three years which will be placed at strategic locations to help identify problem areas, allow motorists to monitor their speed, and to help the police crackdown on speeders.

“We realise that over the next three years we have a mandate, and we want to see the 900 accidents reduced by 30 per cent by the next three years,” he said.

Mr McIntosh said that it has been shown that where such devices have been placed, the incident rate of persons speeding in some cases has been significantly reduced by 40 to 50 per cent.

“We want to purchase these speed monitors to also gather information for us that tells us how many drivers we have at a certain period of time that are speeding so the police can develop strategy around that particular problem, whether it’s in the school zone or any other areas,” he said.

“For the first year we will purchase five and place them in the school zones, and over the next three years we will purchase five, and every year for the next three years, and place them as the police recommend, and look at what the effects are,” said Mr McIntosh.

He said that another concern is the improper driving behaviour and habit of road users at the newly constructed roundabout at Coral Road.

He said four signs have been placed to help motorists choose the correct lane they should be in when approaching the roundabout.

Road Traffic Committee Chairman J R Fraser and Supt Kenwood Taylor, officer in charge of the Traffic Division, said they are expected to launch a campaign about the proper use of roundabouts.

Mr Fraser said that committee has planned a number of road safety initiatives to sensitise residents about the importance of road safety.

These include a high school essay competition on the topic “Making Our Roads Safer for All Road Users.”

The submission deadline is March 10, 2016.

Mr Fraser said the competition is open to 10-12 grade students in Grand Bahama.

Mr Fraser also said the committee plans to establish a Memorial Wall for road traffic victims. The group would also continue its partnership programme on defensive driving, school visits and the rules of road.