Investigations underway over fake car licence discs

By LEANDRA ROLLE

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

ROAD Traffic Department officials confirmed Thursday that investigations are underway to determine the source of several fake licence discs that have been issued to drivers in recent weeks.

In an interview with The Tribune, Acting Road Traffic Controller Bradley Sands called the matter an “ongoing” problem, one he insisted the department hopes to rectify soon.

“This is one of the few matters that we have been investigating for maybe the last month or so. It is expected that in short order we will be able to bring this matter to a conclusion,” Mr Sand said when he was contacted.

“The persons that are producing these fraudulent discs, it’s only a matter of time before they are caught and that’s why I said that investigations are ongoing and we have an idea of where we’re going in terms of the investigation and we are following significant leads.”

“ So, in short order, we expect to have this culprit brought before the court in relation to this matter.”

His comments to this newspaper came a day after a video surfaced on social media, showing an officer questioning a male driver about his fake licence disc.

In the nearly one-minute video, the officer is seen inspecting the fake disc, while asking the male driver about its origin.

To this, the driver replied: “I get my car licence from someone.”

It is not clear, however, how long the motorist had been driving in public with the fake licence disc.

When asked how many fake licence discs the road department has seen since last year, Mr Sands replied: “I’d say about as many as 10 (have been reported) since my time here and that’s been about 15 months.”

However, Mr Sands maintains that the department will be working vigorously to find the source of the fraudulent discs.

In the meantime, the acting road traffic controller urged members of the public to go through the proper channels to have their vehicles licensed in order to avoid breaking the law.

“The members of the public need to understand that fraudulent use of a licence disc is an (offence for which they can be arrested) and persons committing this fraud and collecting $400 or $500 from them simply is not worth it,” he told The Tribune.

“Why would you spend $500 for a fraudulent licence disk and when you are caught, you will face criminal charges as well as your vehicle is not even properly licensed to be on the streets of New Providence?”

"And, so members of the public simply need to follow the law and come to the Road Traffic Department and have their vehicles licensed properly," he said Thursday.

Comments

bahamianson says...

Be serious! This is one of the many , many investigations going on in this country, please!We need a lot more investigations.

Posted 9 January 2020, 10:13 p.m. Suggest removal

stillwaters says...

I just hope Leandra Rolle follows through and shares the results of this investigation with us.

Posted 10 January 2020, 10:48 a.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

Peanuts in comparison to the kinds of fraudulent activities our most senior politicians and their cronies are engaged in.

Posted 10 January 2020, 11:27 a.m. Suggest removal

geostorm says...

Wow, our society is really in a bad state of decline! Why is it so hard for people to follow the rule of law. These people will end up being the same ones to hit and kill some innocent person. At that point, what will be the consequence for them illegally being allowed to be on the road......just sad!

Posted 10 January 2020, 11:38 a.m. Suggest removal

PTIBahamas says...

BASIC proposes to deploys modular security systems which protect vehicle registration documents and license plates against manipulation, forgery and theft. Its cutting-edge RFID technology makes it possible to retrieve accurate vehicle data in still and moving traffic, or remotely access by enforcement agencies.

Bahamas Auto Safety and Inspection Centre Co., Ltd (BASIC) is proposing to enter into a Public-Private Partnership (the Build Operate Transfer “BOT” approach) with the Bahamas Government to provide a holistic re - launch of the Road Traffic Department. Major highlights of the Public–Private Partnership that will benefit the Government and the Bahamas are as follows:
• Up to 9 (nine) Modern “State of the Art” Facilities and Amenities for all the major islands
• Ownership of facilities, electronic file/ data licenses, IT infrastructure and all testing equipment at end of 20-year agreement.
• Security and maintenance of contract will be the responsibility of private partner.
• Road Traffic operations will follow International best practice comprises efficient techniques, methods, processes.
• Facility will ensure that drivers met the minimum acceptable standard for roadworthiness.
• Continuous testing and monitoring of excessive pollution and vehicle exhaust emission systems.
• Great possibility to generate other sources of revenue as a result of a comprehensive safety initiative.
• Creation of over 300 jobs.
• Eliminate total Cost of consumables.
• Eliminate fraud and unauthorised access to secure government documents
• Increase corporate governance
• Have measurable, accurate revenue streams

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2020…

Posted 10 January 2020, 6:43 p.m. Suggest removal

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