In May 2022 I wrote an article on crime and how we could tackle the issue in a truly multifaceted way. I started with minor crimes such as reckless driving and how technological innovation could be used to benefit the various stakeholders of our roads. In this article I will expound on that premise.

Prior to the implementation date of the new Road Traffic Act (RTA), the nation saw an influx of revenue from traffic tickets. This was due to citizens rushing to try to pay off overdue tickets at their respective traffic courts. Upon the implementation of the Act, a number of tickets have also been issued with the attendant increased fines. According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), in 2021 over 451,000 tickets were issued. In the following year, 2022, there was a 60 per cent increase to just over 750,000 tickets. During the period of February 1-6, 2023, 5,533 tickets were issued, amounting to $34,925,500, that is an average ticket price of $6,312. If we extrapolate this data with the assumption that all other variables are constant, ticket revenues would hit over $1.67 billion by the end of December.

Although the increased revenue collection is a positive note, we must ensure the right people are caught and there is no opportunity for corruption to take place. According to the Ministry of Transport, there has been over 300 road fatalities for the last 20 years, except for 2012, with that of 2022 amounting to nearly 500. Many wrongs are still being carried out by motorists on the roads despite ticketing, as some individuals don’t fear being caught, whilst others are unjustly punished. This is the point at which technology and innovation must enter the fray.

For people to be caught and the innocent protected, we need accountability and adequate surveillance. This is where the ‘Dash Cam Initiative’ becomes relevant. The goal of this is to empower and hold people accountable, whilst benefiting all road users. A motorist would purchase a recommended dash cam, install it, and whenever something illegal is done they would be able to report the guilty by providing footage to the authorities. In return they would receive 10 per cent of the cost of the ticket issued to the guilty motorist. This would work on a first-reported basis to ensure there is no repeat punishment of the offender for one illegal act, while incentivising people to report as soon as possible.

A dash cam would be the right tool because it is cost effective and would show the time, location of an incident, car type, colour, and licence plate. This is already being done by some people on social media. Can you imagine the benefits to be gleaned if people were incentivised to do the right thing and report reckless driving en masse? For example, if someone fails to use an indicator and cuts off a driver with a dash cam, that driver could report him or her to the authorities and receive a commission of $250; if a reckless driver decides to go through a red light, someone could report him or her and receive $1,000; or if a road sign is knocked down, someone could report the careless driver and receive a $5,000 commission.

People respond to incentives, and I believe the only reason more people don’t have dash cams is because there is no monetary reward for submission of footage. If we could achieve a 20 per cent attachment rate (1 in 5 vehicles) in a year, I believe the road authorities would have their eyes and ears virtually everywhere, thus pushing people to drive more responsibly. This initiative would also complement the JamaicaEye system very well and provide much-needed support in underdeveloped sections of our island. However, for this to work effectively, a proper reporting infrastructure and monetary apparatus must be set up.

In order to have an efficient system it must be streamlined and easy to report. The system should be set up so that people are required to send the footage to a division of the JCF, perhaps the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PTSEB). They could tag the JCF or the PTSEB accounts on social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, or send them as direct messages on WhatsApp. From there on a line of communication would be established between the JCF and the complainant/informant. Once the authorities have confirmed the incident, they would ask for bank account information or other preferred payment methods so that the reward can be transferred. This will take training of course, so the JCF could hire people for this specific purpose, thereby providing additional jobs for young people.

In addition, road users would also benefit from an education campaign. For example, they could be shown how to trim the footage from their dash cam apps and message the police on WhatsApp. I believe word of mouth and the potential to receive money when you are wronged on the road will be a good incentive.

Although sending commissions out would be important, getting hold of revenue is as well. It is crazy to think that people fell behind on paying their tickets for decades and had acquired hundreds. In order for this to not happen again we must use traditional and non-traditional media platforms to highlight reckless drivers who have amassed more than 50 tickets. The notice should include the individual’s picture, name, age, number of outstanding tickets, and total value of the tickets, and if that does not work, the offender’s licence ought to be suspended.

In addition to the identified systematic approach, we must also acknowledge the legislative angle. In a country that vilifies informers and ridicules people who stand for principles, we must provide legal protection. If we want this initiative to be successful, acts of coercion — threatening or harming someone in order for them to remove their dash cam — must be made illegal. The position of the person should not matter, whether it is a public passenger vehicle driver or police officer issuing threats, it would still be illegal.

All road users and not just drivers who witness offences will benefit from this initiative. The stakeholders that have much to gain are motorists, pedestrians, insurance companies, and the Government. Motorists, both public and private operators, will benefit by receiving a commission; having footage to contest in court if they happen to be in the right; being able to help someone else with footage from another angle of an incident; paying reduced insurance premiums; being able to report police officers or at least deter them from asking for and receiving bribes from motorists.

The Government would benefit from increased revenue collection, and therefore more money would be in the coffers to improve transportation infrastructure.

Even with the updated fines in the RTA, people will still drive recklessly, especially where there are no police officers or JamaicaEye cameras. This is done because they know they won’t be caught; however, once a proper system is in place, they would be seriously disincentivised to break the road code. Therefore, I’m calling on the Minister of Transport Audley Shaw and the minister with responsibility for the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) Floyd Green to seriously consider this initiative.

For too long too many people have died because of reckless driving. Once measures aimed at improving accountability and transparency are put in place, Jamaica’s roads will become significantly safer. Dash cams equal safer roads.

Malik Smith is a graduate of The University of the West Indies. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or maliksmith774@gmail.com /@MalikSmithJM.