A blitz on motoring offences has slashed accident rates as well as boosted Government coffers by well over $500,000 in just one month.

Police said dividing traffic officers between the Eastern, Western and Central divisions with a mandate to nab even minor offenders had resulted in a 26 percent reduction in the daily rate of accidents causing injury.

The number of daily accidents had fallen by 13 percent, said Supt. Jonathan Smith, in the 50 days since the scheme began compared to the previous 50 days.

Police said 2,072 motorists have been caught in the month following the December 13 start date as patrols have targeted rush hour traffic.

However the cash windfall will not necessarily go to fighting crime. Supt.

Smith said: "It goes to the Accountant General -- the consolidated fund.'' Supt. Smith explained how the policy has led to an increase in arrests.

He said: "With decentralisation there is more concentration of resources at times of the day when most people are on the roads -- morning and evenings -- we don't have that many traffic problems at night.'' But Mr. Smith denied Police were giving pack racers and drunk drivers an easy ride at the expense of nabbing the commuters which are easy prey.

He said: "The regular watches can deal with those other offenders -- and we work late on Friday and Saturday nights.

"With pack racing the cycle crime unit tackle those. Pack racing can start up at any time of the evening in any location but it's normally worse in the holiday season.'' Police denied the blitz will lead to a repeat of clogged traffic courts.

In the summer hundreds of motorists were queuing in the streets as the magistrates struggled to cope with the numbers before Police eventually slowed down arrests in September.

However Sgt. Phil Lewis, who heads the central traffic enforcement unit, said his Police would make sure summonses were filtered through in order not to overload the courts.

And he warned the public to watch their driving. He said: "There was a tendency in the past for minor offences not to be targeted. Now speeding is not our main priority, everything is a priority -- offences such as running traffic lights, overtaking on the left, cutting in on traffic.'' Supt. Smith said: "For me the most telling figure is the impact on the whole of society.

"It means fewer people going to hospital, fewer people draining the medical resources of the country and fewer people taking time off work.'' He reminded the public that traffic offences should not be regarded as petty.

He said: "It is a concern when you remember that 18 people lost their lives in road accidents in 1998 and when you consider the hundreds of people who get injured.'' A Police spokesman explained the rationale behind the new policy.

He said: "We do not see the increase in fines and prosecutions as the end result. These are only means to an end.

"We are trying to reduce the amount of crimes on the roads through education, high visibility and enforcement of the law.'' ACCIDENT AC