19% drop in accidents credited to technology, intensified enforcement – Traffic Chief

…says road deaths fall to 89 so far for 2026, child fatalities drop from 5 to 2

Guyana has recorded a 19 per cent reduction in road accidents across all categories so far this year, while fatal accidents and deaths have also declined, according to Traffic Chief Assistant Commissioner of Police Mahindra Singh.
Singh made the disclosure during an interview on the Starting Point podcast, where he outlined the Guyana Police Force’s approach to addressing speeding, dangerous driving, inattentiveness, impaired driving and other road traffic offences.
He said the reduction was being supported by consistent and visible enforcement, sustained public awareness programmes, data-driven deployment of traffic ranks and the increased use of technology.
Singh said road safety remained a concern given the continued occurrence of offences such as speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving and what he described as a disregard for traffic laws.
He said addressing the problem required a combination of enforcement, education and technology rather than relying solely on the deployment of additional human resources.
“What really is required, and we have endeavored to do and have been doing, is consistent and visible enforcement in all areas, especially with the prevalent offences in our society,” Singh said during the Starting Point interview.
He said the Police Force was also seeking to sustain public awareness programmes and make itself more accessible to road users, while making greater use of technology for traffic management.
According to Singh, technology allows the Police Force to improve traffic enforcement without requiring a proportional increase in the number of ranks deployed.
“This actually, why I use the term effective, it gives a level of efficiency that does not demand a greater proportionate level of human resources being deployed to accomplish an improvement in road safety,” he explained.

Fatal accidents decline
Singh said the latest figures indicate a modest reduction in fatal accidents and a more noticeable reduction in the number of deaths.
He said that, at the corresponding period last year, Guyana recorded 84 fatal accidents resulting in 93 deaths, including five children.
This year, the country has recorded 83 fatal accidents resulting in 89 deaths, including two children.
While the reduction in the number of fatal accidents is one, Singh said the decline in deaths and child fatalities was also significant.
He attributed some of the movement in the figures to continued road safety education, including lectures conducted in schools and other public awareness initiatives.
“It may not be to the desired level as yet, but we are getting there, because I tell you year after year, you’re seeing a reduction in accident,” Singh said.
He noted, however, that fatal accidents continue to fluctuate and remain the area of greatest concern for traffic authorities.

EBD highest fatal accidents
Singh also provided a breakdown of fatal accidents within Region Four, which is covered by three police divisions.
The East Bank Police Division recorded the highest number, with 19 fatal accidents resulting in 19 deaths.
Central Georgetown, designated Region 4A, recorded 14 fatal accidents and 14 deaths, while the East Coast Police Division also recorded 14 fatal accidents and 14 deaths.
Singh said the Police Force uses data analysis and the identification of accident “black spots” to determine where traffic ranks and other resources should be deployed.
He said accidents do not occur at one location permanently, meaning that the Police Force has to monitor changes in accident patterns and adjust deployments accordingly.
“Black spot management helps us now to know where to deploy,” Singh said.
He added that data-driven analysis allows the department to identify areas of greatest demand and avoid unnecessary deployment of limited resources.

Speeding leading contributor
Singh identified speeding, inattentiveness and pedestrians crossing the path of moving vehicles among the main contributors to fatal accidents.
According to the figures he provided, 70 fatal accidents last year were attributed to speeding, compared with 65 this year.
Pedestrians crossing the path of moving vehicles accounted for four fatalities last year and five this year.
Meanwhile, deaths attributed to inattentiveness increased from nine last year to 14 this year.
Singh said these figures demonstrate the continued need for public awareness and enforcement, particularly in relation to driver behaviour.
Two deaths this year were also attributed to drunk driving, he disclosed.
He said both cases have been completed and the drivers involved are to face charges for motor manslaughter.

Awareness & bars
The Traffic Department has also been taking its public awareness campaign to locations where alcohol is consumed, including bars.
Singh said this approach is intended to reach both drivers and persons who may be consuming alcohol before getting behind the wheel.
He said the strategy also reinforces provisions under the Intoxicating Liquor Licence Act Amendment of 2022, which places responsibility on persons who sell or serve alcohol to individuals who are already visibly intoxicated.
The Traffic Chief said the objective is not only to deter drivers from operating vehicles while impaired, but also to increase awareness among persons serving alcohol about the consequences of allowing intoxicated individuals to continue drinking.
Singh said traffic management is also being incorporated into the country’s road development programme.
He explained that as newly constructed roads are completed and commissioned as public roads, the Traffic Department is planning for the establishment of outposts and the deployment of ranks.
According to Singh, plans are already being made to staff such locations while maintaining mobile traffic patrols.
The intention, he said, is to ensure that traffic enforcement is considered before or as new road infrastructure comes into operation, rather than being addressed only after problems emerge.
He said the approach is being taken in keeping with the broader development agenda and the expansion of the country’s road network.

Over 72,000 cases filed
Singh also disclosed that approximately 72,000 traffic cases have been filed across the country this year in the various magisterial districts.
He said the cases have recorded an overall conviction rate of about 51 per cent so far, with many of the convictions involving speeding offences.
The remaining matters, he said, are still before the courts, while some cases have been dismissed because of issues including insufficient evidence or procedural shortcomings.
Singh said the conviction rate could be higher but pointed to limitations within the court system, including the number of matters that can be heard daily.
He explained that some Magistrates’ Courts have a system under which approximately 25 matters are heard per day, while the number of cases being filed by traffic ranks can reach about 500 per day.
The disparity between the number of cases being generated and the number being heard, he said, contributes to the backlog.

Technology & licence suspensions
Singh said the increased use of technology has also assisted the Police Force in detecting dangerous driving and speeding offences.
He disclosed that 37 drivers have had their licences suspended this year as a result of traffic offences.
According to Singh, some drivers convicted of dangerous driving and speeding have been disqualified from driving for periods ranging from six months to 12 months.
He also referred to Guyana’s demerit point system, which was introduced through amendments to the Road Traffic Act.
Under the system, drivers accumulate points for specified offences, with the accumulation of points potentially resulting in a period of disqualification.
Singh said the schedule covers approximately 53 offences, with speeding and dangerous driving among the offences that can result in the accumulation of points.
He explained that the applicable disqualification period depends on the number of points accumulated, with periods ranging from six months to one year under the relevant thresholds.
However, Singh said courts have previously imposed longer periods of disqualification, including two and three years, depending on the circumstances of a case.
He cited a recent accident in Region Three involving a police officer who was seriously affected and remains bedridden.
According to Singh, the driver involved in that incident was disqualified from obtaining a driver’s licence for two years.