Bail, suspended licences, fines, jail time: Police crackdown on traffic offences

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has intensified its crackdown on dangerous driving, with multiple motorists charged, fined and brought before the courts this week following offences captured by traffic cameras, including speeding and third-lane violations. These enforcement actions are part of the ongoing rollout of the Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS), a partnership between the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) and the GPF. The SRIS is Guyana’s automated road safety initiative, using smart cameras and radar to catch traffic violators, which officially rolled out with an automated speed ticketing system on April 7, 2025, aiming to curb speeding and enhance road safety through technology and data.
On Wednesday, several drivers appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Courts and Georgetown Magistrate’s Court Seven to answer charges of dangerous driving.

At Sparendaam, before Magistrate Abigail Gibbs, Junior McKenzie, the driver of minibus BAF 6744, and Orin Harper, the driver of minibus BPP 3825, each faced two counts of dangerous driving and were fined $100,000. Hemraj Ramfal, driver of minibus BAE 7621, pleaded not guilty and was granted $150,000 bail, with his matter adjourned to February 26, 2026, for statements. Four other drivers – Haraish Looknauth, Cylus Gibson, Mike McGarrell and Keshav Lachman – were each fined $50,000 for dangerous driving. Several cases, including those involving Odinga McDonald, Dasrat Mirchand, and Kelvin Hardy, were adjourned due to the defendants’ absence and rescheduled for February 3, 2026. At Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts, before Magistrate Shivani Lallram, Trevor Peters and Mahadeo Mangra were each fined $50,000 or, if unpaid, faced 10 weeks’ imprisonment. Leroy Jonas, the driver of minibus BAL 5912, was fined $100,000 or faced 20 weeks’ imprisonment, and his driver’s licence was suspended for six months. Two defendants, Hensley Alleyne and Raymond Clement, were absent when their matters were called. The Traffic Department has warned that additional cases relating to unpaid speeding tickets detected through the SRIS system are expected to come before the courts in the coming weeks. Authorities stressed that failure to attend court when summoned could lead to further legal consequences, including the issuance of warrants.
The Police Force reiterated that dangerous driving, including third-lane violations and other offences detected via traffic cameras, puts lives at risk and will be met with firm action. Motorists are urged to obey traffic laws, respect lane discipline, and drive responsibly.