GPF mulls 400% mark-up for illegal parking of heavy-duty vehicles countrywide

Traffic Chief and Assistant Commissioner of Police Mahendra Singh has hinted that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department is looking to ramp up fees for illegal parking of heavy-duty vehicles across the country by 400 per cent.
Singh said the current fixed penalty of $5000 for offences such as illegal parking, leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position, or obstructing traffic is no longer serving as an effective deterrent.
He explained that the proposed increase would see the fine rise to $50,000. “The current $5000 fine is more like a parking fee… so we recommend a $50,000 fine,” Singh said.

Under the existing system, motorists found parking illegally or obstructing roadways can be issued fixed penalty tickets, while more serious offences, including parking on pavements or causing significant obstruction, may result in vehicles being clamped or towed.
In fact, City Hall strictly prohibits parking on sidewalks in Georgetown, and errant vehicles are actively clamped and penalised. Singh made the comments during the recent announcement surrounding the introduction of 400 vehicle clamps, which will be used as part of a wider enforcement effort against traffic violations.
Only two days ago, the Public Works Ministry announced that 400 heavy-duty vehicle clamps would be officially handed over to the Guyana Police Force. These were handed over on Saturday.

The pieces of equipment are expected to target errant drivers who continue to disregard the government’s repeated calls to stop transporting overweight material and cargo, as well as illegally parking heavy-duty vehicles along major roadways.
Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill said the procurement of the 400 clamps represents a major step in strengthening enforcement against overloaded trucks and illegally parked heavy-duty vehicles across the country.
During a social media post, the Minister expressed satisfaction that the equipment had arrived and that the procurement process had been completed, warning operators that stricter enforcement measures were now being implemented.
He cautioned that operators of overloaded trucks and those who park vehicles illegally on public roads and road shoulders will face immediate consequences.
Specifically, trucks carrying more than the legally prescribed limit of 15 tonnes per axle, in keeping with existing regulations, will be clamped, detained, and subjected to legal action.