90 traffic cases made during ECD enforcement exercise
An enforcement patrol along the East Coast Demerara roadways led to 90 traffic cases being made by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in just one day.
On Sunday, traffic enforcement exercises were held in Regional Division 4C, in the station districts of Sparendaam, Beterverwagting, Vigilance, Cove and John, and Mahaica. This was done by traffic ranks in collaboration with members of the Road Safety Council in Regional Division 4C.
The cases made included 50 for speeding, nine for prohibition of tinted glass, three for breach of prescribed fitness, three for operating a motorcycle without a helmet, three for breaching of provisional license, three for failure to wear seatbelt, three for unverified vehicle, two for failure to produce a driver’s licence, one for failure to confirm to sign among others.
There was one case each for breach of insurance, breach of condition of road service licence, driving without a driver’s licence, carrying pillion rider without safety helmet, dangerous driving, no reflective mirror, no silencer, carrying more persons than the permitted number, unlicensed motor vehicle, and uninsured motor vehicle.
Police ranks during the exercise on the ECD
A breakdown showed 42 cases made at Sparendaam, 21 at Vigilance, 10 at Mahaica, 10 at Beterverwagting, and seven at Cove and John.
This month, the Guyana Police Force also embarked on exercises to remove multi-coloured lights and flashers from motor lorries and various other vehicles. These flashy modifications have been a cause for concern, as they not only distract other drivers but also create hazardous situations on the road.
The traffic enforcement operations are part of a campaign to instil a sense of discipline among drivers and make roads safer for all users. By cracking down on offenders and issuing appropriate penalties, the Police hope to send a strong message that traffic violations will not be tolerated.
The public has been urged to cooperate with traffic authorities and adhere to traffic regulations to ensure a smooth flow of traffic and reduce road accidents. Regular enforcement exercises will continue to be conducted in various parts of the region to maintain road safety and prevent traffic violations.
Since July, “Respect the Road” was initiated, in a desperate move to reduce accidents after a rise in exacerbated fatalities and reckless use of the roadways.
For the first half of 2023, over 2000 persons were charged with ticketing offences, which exceeded 3000.
Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken had said that ticketing has not been working to some extent; despite harsher penalties being meted out to defaulters, violation of traffic laws remains high.
According to the acting Top Cop, speeding, driving under the influence, poor driver behaviour, distracted driving and inadequate infrastructure were some of the factors contributing to the alarming statistics.
