The following was posted as a comment to the Fixing Motor Accidents post by #Artax – Blogmaster
There seems to be a misunderstanding among some Barbadians that police officers are no longer required to respond to traffic accidents.
We must first acknowledge the fact that, effective Sunday, September 15, 2024, BPS introduced a New Road Traffic Accident Investigation Policy to manage traffic accidents. Under this policy, police officers would no longer routinely respond to SIMPLE ‘fender benders,’ (i.e. minor, non-injury collisions)……
……but to accident scenes ONLY UNDER SPECIFIC, higher-risk circumstances, such as road fatalities, serious injury, hit and run incidents, pedestrian involvement, mass casualty events……
……OR potential breach of peace, suspected criminal activity, if the free flow of traffic has been severely interrupted or where there is a road safety issue.
It is important to note that responders from the insurance companies had UNDERGONE training by the police, which was structured to assist insurance investigators in gathering the required information to facilitate any future civil litigation.
I believe BPS should adopt a more AGGRESSIVE APPROACH to ENFORCING the road traffic regulations, completely eradicating the so-called “minibus culture,” as well as ‘crack down on’ the motorcycle nonsense, excessive speeding by Chefette, FedEx and KFC drivers, and persons operating vehicles without valid drivers’ licenses and insurance.
But then again, we’ve been STRUGGLING with IMPLEMENTING the tint laws and INTRODUCING breathalyser testing.
In 2017, former Minister of Transport and Works Michael Lashley announced testing would become a reality after the legislative framework was established under Section 14 of Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2017-26.
The then RBPF was supposed to commence implementation of the tests on January 1, 2020.
On Thursday, March 3, 2022, Police Public Relations Officer, (the late) Acting Inspector Rodney Inniss, subsequently informed the public that BPS would be utilising breathalyser testing effective April 1, 2022.
However, on March 31, 2022, the Cabinet decided to halt implementation. Then AG Dale Marshall explained that other supporting facets, such as the introduction and regulation of metered taxis, needed to be finalised first.
It’s now September 21, 2026, approximately FOUR (4) YEARS and FIVE (5) months after…… Barbadians ‘REMAIN in the dark’ about government’s position on this issue.
David, I agree with you that there are TOO MANY vehicles on our roads, and we have to cope with the fact that almost every month a new used car sales outlet opens in Barbados.
There are approximately nine (9) used car sales outlets located between Warrens and Barbarees Hill, for example.
I shudder to think of the chaos that would be created if ALL those vehicles are sold. 😱
We also have to take roads into consideration, many of which have fallen into a dire state of disrepair, mainly because of a lack of maintenance or neglect.
However, to this administration’s credit, Transport and Works Minister Kirk Humphrey, recently announced a major road repair and pothole patching programme for communities across Barbados, commencing with northern parishes.
Additionally, on November 3, 2025, Jason Bowen, MTW’s Deputy Chief Technical Officer, (Design Services) disclosed government’s “phased introduction of traffic management strategies designed to enhance road safety, reduce congestion, and improve the overall transportation experience for road users.”
It’s only a few weeks away from November 3, 2026. Perhaps the planning phase is still in progress.
This BLP administration seems not to experience any difficulties planning exorbitantly priced fetes, parades, consultations etc, at the expense of Barbadian taxpayers. The recent CARIFESTA debacle is a perfect example.
They bragged about hosting a successful, $35.7M CARIFESTA XV last August, but after three ‘3 loves,’ CANNOT boast about any successful housing programme, for example.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.