Page 242 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (IV)_Neat

40
In 1368 the tot*al number of persons prosecuted by the Traffic Branch in botli courts for all
classes of offences was 205. The fines amounted to Rs. 13,599. During the year 1369, however,
314 persons were prosecuted for all classes of offences and the total amount of fines was only Rs. 8,156.
There were no prosecutions by the Traffic Branch for Black Market offences which accounted for
some heavy fines in the previous year. The persons prosecuted for serious traffic offences, such as
causing death by negligent driving, drunk in charge of a motor vehicle and rasli driving,-included
5 British subjects but no convictions were obtained.
The gradual increase in the number of buses and taxis is a continual problem owing to the
limited parking space in the towns. There appear to be far more of these vehicles than is necessary.
Almost any person is allowed a taxi license and rarely is a taxi license revoked, even for serious offences
such as " Drunk in charge of a vehicle.*’ For the 123 taxis registered there ore 208 licensed drivers.
According to the accident statistics, one or more of these vehicles was involved in 37 per cent of the
accidents, whilst they represent only 12 per cent of the total number of vehicles on the island. This
is no doubt due to the bad driving whilst competing for business. The bulk of the traffic offences
are committed by bus and taxi drivers and it seems that more severe penalties arc necessary.
The standard of driving required before a person is allowed to have a driving license is very
high and very few persons pass the driving test at the first attempt as is indicated by the fact that
there were only 592 successful applicants out of a total of 1,065 tests. The work of the Traffic Branch
continues to incicase with the number of vehicles on the island.
Other Offences.—In both courts 39 persons were prosecuted by the Traffic Branch for non­
traffic offences. Of these cases 14 were liquor offences, 3 dangerous drug offences, 3 cases of attempting
to bribe a police officer and other offences including indecency, criminal breach of trust, insulting the
modesty of a woman and cruelty to animals. One American subject was charged with two cases of
house-breaking by night and assault on women and was convicted and sentenced to 2 weeks and 1
month’s imprisonment concurrently. Two American subjects were convicted of unlawful possession
of liquor in Manamah and fined. Three British subjects were prosecuted for unlawful possession of
liquor in Manamah. In two cases convictions were obtained, in the other the accused was acquitted.
Twenty-three persons, 9 British, 6 Norwegian, 3 American, 2 Danish, 1 Dutch, 1 Bahraini and 1 Spanish
subject were dealt with for various offences in which no court proceedings were taken.
Staff.—On 26th October 1949, three new men arrived to take up duties with the British
Police Detachment as Sub-Inspectors. They were, Charles Hall, William Shevlin and Jack Briggs.
Another new member, John Nunn, arrived on 14th November 1949. All these men had had consider­
able experience in the Palestine Police and were familiar with the language. New quarters were
completed shortly after their arrival. A new Traffic Office and Record Office were also built. This
increase in the strength of the Traffic Department enabled it to carry out many duties other than
traffic duties. After eight months’ service Sub-Inspector C. Hall resigned from the State Police and
returned to the United Kingdom.
Early in May 1950, one of the British Detachment was posted to Muharraq Airport to assist
in Customs and Passport duties. This duty was carried out by all the British Sub-Inspectors in turn.
One of the British Sub-Inspcctois assisted in the work at Manamah Customs jetty and also visited
ships at the Manamah anchorage.
Air France Disasters.—At about 1-15 a.m. 13th June 1950, an Air France passenger plane from
Saigon, crashed in the sea, south of Hedd with the loss of 46 lives, there were only 6 survivors. On
15th June 1950, at approximately 2 a.m. another Air France aircraft, westbound from Saigon, crashed
into the sea within a short distance of the first wreck. There were 53 persons on board including crew,
of these 13 persons were rescued by various means from the sea.

At the time of the inquests, five bodies were still missing from the first aircraft and seven from
the second. On 29th June 1950 two bodies were recovered from the seashore at Ras Shamiyah, Qatar,
but it was not possible to tell which aircraft they were from. At the time of the crashes, officers
from the Traffic Branch assisted in search, rescue work and identification of the bodies.