In just 12 hours after the launch of Guyana’s national e-ticketing system, the country recorded nearly $2 million in traffic violation fines—evidence, if any were needed, of the deeply entrenched culture of recklessness on our roads.
President Dr Irfaan Ali’s timely social media update outlined the numbers: 259 speeding violations, 29 for failure to wear seatbelts, and one for driving while using a mobile device. And these were not minor infractions—one driver, captured on radar at a dangerous 152 km/h along the East Coast, is already being summoned to court. The message is clear: business as usual is over.
This digital transformation of road enforcement is not just a technical upgrade but rather a declaration of zero tolerance toward traffic indiscipline, and a necessary one. For too long, Guyana’s roadways have been arenas of daily peril. Speeding, distracted driving, failure to wear seatbelts—these are not harmless oversights. They are acts of negligence that endanger lives.
The Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS), launched by the government in partnership with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), ushers in a new era of accountability. Through radar-enabled speed cameras and automatic violation detection, the e-ticketing system strips away the old excuses. There is no room for “I didn’t know” or “I wasn’t speeding.” The camera doesn’t lie.
Traffic Chief Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Singh has been transparent in his articulation of the penalties. Each offence—from speeding to handheld phone usage—carries a standardized fine of $7,500. Repeat offenders face escalating consequences, with dangerous driving attracting fines as high as $75,000 or even a license suspension. This structure is not just punitive—it is designed to reform behavior through financial and legal consequence.
And yet, the innovation does not end with enforcement. It extends to transparency. The new online portal allows drivers to track tickets by entering their vehicle registration number, TIN, or ticket number. This level of access is crucial for public trust and institutional credibility. It provides drivers with clarity on their status and prevents disputes over “phantom tickets” or clerical errors. Such systems also reduce opportunities for bribery or unofficial “settlements” that have too often tainted traffic enforcement in the past.
Importantly, the system also considers the citizen’s convenience. Fines can now be paid digitally through MMG, and soon through the Guyana Revenue Authority’s “Padna” app. In doing so, the state is not just cracking the whip—it is also extending a hand to help drivers navigate the new reality. There’s no more waiting in line at a police station or being unsure of the process. The tools are in place to make compliance easy.
But for all its promise, the system is not immune to skepticism. Some may worry about data privacy, accuracy of the cameras, or recourse in the event of a technical error. These concerns are valid and must be addressed through robust public education and a reliable appeal mechanism.
The government’s plan to launch a nationwide public awareness campaign is both welcome and necessary. Citizens must understand how the system works, how to contest a ticket if necessary, and what their rights and responsibilities are. This is a partnership between the state and its citizens—not a one-sided crackdown.
The numbers from the first day are startling, but they are also illuminating. They tell us that the problem was never about the absence of laws, but about the lack of consistent enforcement. With SRIS, the Guyana Police Force is taking its rightful place as a disciplined, data-driven institution. And the rest of the country must now follow suit.
We commend the authorities for taking this bold leap forward. Let the cameras roll. Let the tickets fall where they may. And let this be the start of safer roads for all.
