Frustration mounts over reckless minibus drivers, ECD traffic gridlock

…citizens urge smarter infrastructure planning

Concerned citizens have pleaded for greater road safety and more strategic planning in Guyana’s ongoing infrastructure development. They cite mounting frustrations with reckless minibus drivers and widespread congestion, particularly along the East Coast corridor.
Speaking during a recent Road Safety and You programme, a caller shared firsthand experiences of what many commuters endure daily.
“Some of our drivers in this country are using our roadways [recklessly], especially the minibus drivers,” the caller said. “In the afternoons, it is very terrible with these drivers. They are boring at the side of you. They are driving up without putting on the indicator. They want to turn in front of you. And when you object to it, they want to abuse you. All sorts of things.”

While acknowledging that the police “cannot do everything by themselves,” the caller stressed that reckless driving has reached unacceptable levels and called for more accountability from both drivers and authorities.
The citizen also weighed in on the Government’s push to improve the country’s road network, voicing appreciation for the development while urging a more measured approach. “We know and we welcome the development of the roads in this country. But sir, oh, let’s look at it. We cannot do all the roads at one time,” the caller remarked.
According to the citizen, the simultaneous construction and repair of major thoroughfares have led to severe congestion, impacting the daily lives of working people. Drawing a comparison to workplace discipline, the caller asked, “Sir, if you have a business and you have workers, and every day the worker is coming to work five minutes late, 10 minutes late, 15 minutes late, how could you deal with that?”
The delays, they argued, often force drivers to speed in a desperate attempt to arrive at work on time.
“All of these roads that the Government is doing is causing people to be driving at a fast rate to reach work on time. Because remember now, you are living on the East Coast. You are coming down to work. The traffic is so heavy.”
Emphasising that the issue lies not in the road works themselves but in the execution strategy, the caller urged authorities to reconsider their timeline. “Sir, we cannot do it at our time. I am saying I am not against the development of the roads in the country, but you cannot do all the roads at one time.”
The call ended with a plea for empathy and mutual respect on the roadways.
“I know that the police can’t do everything, but some of our drivers in this country, we need to put in the five C’s and have consideration for you.”
For the past few months, there has been a buildup in traffic along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) due to the temporary closure of a bridge at Success Railway Embankment, ECD.
To remedy this, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) implemented a third lane from La Bonne Intention (LBI). The temporary measure was expected to be put in place from Tuesday, March 4. This additional lane will be operational from 07:00 hrs to 08:45 hrs daily.
However, despite this implementation, commuters are still complaining about the intense traffic buildup every day. People have also voiced concerns about the works moving to the “main road too, making the traffic situation worse.
In March, the East Coast Traffic Officer, Assistant Superintendent Wendell Harry asked during an update on the Radio Eve Leary radio programme that motorists cooperate during congestion. He said whoever decides to use the third lane should be vigilant because it’s not a regular thing on the East Coast. To assist with this, motorists were urged to utilise the diversions established.
“The diversions are there with clear markings and signs guiding you where to go and to proceed. Flagmen are there to support the work of the contactor and to aid in ensuring smooth progression,” Traffic Chief, Superintendent, Mahendra Singh had said.
The emergency construction works on the Success Bridge commenced on February 27 and were expected to be completed by April 28. There is also the Ogle-to-Eccles Road project ongoing.