TBPS introduced a Road Traffic Accident Policy on September 15, 2024. Police officers attend road traffic collisions only where there is:

• A fatality;
• Serious injury;
• A situation where there is a likely breach of the peace or acts of suspected criminality; 
• A mass casualty traffic event; and
• A pedestrian-involved accident.

TBPS will also go to the scene of an accident if the free flow of traffic has been severely interrupted or where there is a road safety issue.

What is a serious injury?

A serious injury is one where a person requires hospitalisation; or has any of the following injuries (whether or not the person is detained in hospital) – fractures, concussion, internal injuries, crushing, severe cuts and lacerations, as well as severe general shock requiring treatment.

Why was the policy being introduced?

The management of The Barbados Police Service recognised that a tremendous number of man-hours were expended on the response to accidents that did not involve serious injuries or road fatalities. Police resources are now being used more efficiently by officers not attending incidents that do not require their presence.

What should a person who is involved in an accident do?

It is the duty of the parties to stop and exchange information.

What action does The Barbados Police Service take once a motorist reports an accident to 211?

When the report is made and there is no fatal or serious injury, specific information will be taken to determine whether the presence of a police officer is needed at the scene.

The information includes:

• Is the traffic flow interrupted?
• Did a driver leave the scene without exchanging the required information?
• Is a pedestrian involved?
• Is it a mass casualty accident?
• Is there likely to be a breach of the peace, or an act of suspected criminality?

If it is determined that a police officer is not needed, the person reporting the accident will be informed and advised to contact his or her insurance company. Where the presence of the police is deemed necessary, police officers will be deployed.

If a motorist feels pain a few days after the accident, what should he/she do?

Motorists should seek medical attention and contact their insurance company.

What if the other party does not have insurance?

An investigation will be conducted and if that is proven, the necessary court process may be instituted to deal with the defaulting parties.

What if the other driver leaves the scene before the insurance representative arrives?

• The person has 24 hours to report an accident to the police. He/she should also report the accident to the insurance representative. If that person leaves the scene of an accident without complying with the law, he/she may be prosecuted.
• Additionally, it is suggested that all persons involved in vehicular accidents should, wherever possible, use their cellular phones to record the scene.

How is the new policy benefiting The Barbados Police Service?

• The new policy allows for the more efficient use of police resources and facilitates timely responses to other calls for service and enforcing the law.
• The implementation of this initiative allows The Barbados Police Service to reduce the response time to emergency and critical situations.

Is this policy in place in other countries?

It is followed in many countries, including:

• United States of America
• United Kingdom, and
• Canada, to a lesser extent.

Have the insurance companies’ accident investigators been trained for this change?

Responders from the insurance companies have been trained by The Barbados Police Service at the Regional Police Training Centre. These courses have been specifically structured so that the insurance companies’ investigators can gather the required information to facilitate any future civil action. (PR/GIS)