Page 449 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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TRAFFIC BRANCH
The British Police arc responsible for the traffic section. During 1366 the total number of
accidents recorded was 130, a decrease of 13 on the previous year. There were 4 fatal accidents and
11 people were seriously injured. In three accidents the vehicles which were responsible were not
traced. There were 17 prosecutions, the result of accidents, in two of the cases the accused were
acquitted. During the early part of the year few accidents occurred, later in the year the number of
accidents increased, this was to a great extent due to the depleted strength of the British Police which
resulted in less supervision of traffic and fewer road patrols. The total number of vehicles which
were registered was 1,018, an increase of 245 over the previous year, this increase was due to improved
export conditions from U.K. and U.S.A. and also owing to purchases by local Arabs of vehicles from
Army Disposal Boards. The cash receipts which were collected by the Traffic office amounted to
Rs. 70,351 which was Rs. 23,482 more than the amount collected in 1365.
The general condition of traffic is bad, the Bahrain Petroleum Company disposes of unserviceable
vehicles to local dealers who patch them up and produce a working vehicle which is sold to gullible
buyers who find themselves saddled with a useless vehicle that continually needs repairing. The
public, generally, are not traffic conscious, nor safety conscious and in no way regulation conscious.
It is therefore difficult to make known and to enforce regulations relating to traffic, registrations and
the general use of vehicles. Vehicles, in this case busses, which carry the public, do not function as a
regular Public Service, they are independently owned and work independently serving the public as
and when they think fit. Suggestions were made to one of the principal bus owners that he should
operate a regular service but the proposal was not accepted.
Motor Vehicles :—
Total number in Bahrain 1.075
Total number registered 1,018
Notified as exported 64
Notified as imported 114
Taxis registered 139
Busses registered 124
Bicycles registered 457
Drivers :—
Number of driving tests 446
Passed 348
Failed ~ 98

Accidents and Traffic offences :—
Accidents 130
Serious accidents 19
Court cases 17
Traffic offences ... 139
Amount of fines Rs. 3,299.
Police Duties.—The British Police undertook 46 prosecutions other than traffic cases,
involving persons of six different nationalities. The cases included larceny, assault on a public servant,
offences against liquor and price control regulations, smuggling, cruelty to animals, mischief, drunken-
ness, possession and sale of narcotics, gambling, procuring, and selling indecent photographs. The
range of criminal offences which are prevalent in Bahrain has extended considerably during recent
years.