COP warns motorists to “have your insurance at the very minimum”

COP warns motorists to “have your insurance at the very minimum”
Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle speaks with the media on Thursday, December 17, 2020. (FILE PHOTO)

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle today urged Bahamians and residents to ensure their vehicles are properly registered and insured.

Rolle was addressing the visible increase in police officers on the streets of New Providence in recent days.

He noted that police have not just been ticketing motorists, but have significantly increased visibility to curb and address incidents of crime during the holiday season.

“We know that there are more people moving about shopping, so the normal, run-of-the-mill [police presence], we stepped it up and put out more police to give people a bit of assurance that we are looking out for their safety,” he said.

“Ticketing is what we do every day. That has nothing to do with Christmas. If I meet you without insurance on your car, I [will] ticket you.

“Because you have more officers out there, naturally you will have more tickets. It’s about presence, deterrence; that is what the objective is.”

Rolle urged Bahamians to ensure their vehicles are licensed and registered.

“The commissioner of police is answerable to the law,” he continued.

“If a person’s car is not registered, then they should park it. What you’re asking me to do is turn a blind eye if I see an offense being committed.

“That’s not the directive I give to my officers.”

He noted that he will not allow motorists to get by without the proper registration just because of the pandemic or hard times.

“What you are suggesting is if we have an armed robbery and because we are utilitarian, they need money, that we should not arrest them. It’s the same thing. I do not accept that argument,” Rolle said.

“Everybody ought to abide by the laws. We are a country of laws — we should abide by the laws.”

According to the emergency orders, the requirement to present any vehicle for inspection for the renewal of a license is suspended from March 17 for the duration of the state of public emergency and extending sixty days after.

The commissioner noted that the exemptions under the emergency order should not be ticketed for.

“If a person was ticketed where there’s an exemption, you bring it in and we cancel them,” he said.

He maintained, however, that the Road Traffic Department is open and the process has been extended to the end of the year.

“I would like to encourage persons to try and get their vehicles licensed and insured. At least you should have your insurance at the very minimum.”

About Sloan Smith

Sloan Smith is a senior digital reporter at Eyewitness News, covering a diverse range of beats, from politics and crime to environment and human interest. In 2018, Sloan received a nomination for the “Leslie Higgs Feature Writer of The Year Award” from The Bahamas Press Club for her work with Eyewitness News.