The Traffic Light Department of the Public Works Department (PWD) is in the process of installing an island-wide camera system that will be used to catch traffic offenders in the act.

Traffic technician Randy Davis said the department installed three cameras two weeks ago. These are located at the corners of Old Parham Road and the Sir George Walter Highway, American Road and All Saints Road and the multi-roadway system near the Golden Grove Primary School.

Davis said that there are plans to install more cameras at the intersection of Sir Sydney Walling and the Sir George Walter highways and on Independence Drive as well at all traffic light facilities in the country.

The cameras, which can detect movement and take still pictures, are intended to regulate traffic and detect traffic offenders.

Davis said that the traffic cameras regulate the traffic so that the waiting times are shorter and when there are more cars in any given direction, they get the priority, thereby easing congestion.

“The camera will ‘see’ where has more vehicles and let that line through whether it is coming from the left or the right side. It will regulate the traffic. So if there is one vehicle in line and they have red, the light will automatically turn green.”

The lights will work as normal in equally busy times. It is the hope that these arrangements would decrease traffic accidents.

David said that the cameras are being managed and maintained by the Traffic Light Department.

He said that persons would not know of their offenses until they reach the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board, where vehicular and driving licenses are issued.

Co-ordination efforts between the police’s Traffic Department and the Transport Board has been mentioned.
By Nikisha Smith