Licence of minibus driver suspended

Rising Sun accident

A minibus driver who, on May 5 last, was involved in a three-vehicle smashup on the Rising Sun public road, West Coast Berbice has had his driver’s licence suspended pending the outcome of this matter in court.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mrs Shalimar Ali-Hack, has recommended this course of action, and the Police Traffic Department implemented same on Monday.

Traffic Chief Dion Moore told Guyana Times that the accident involved three dozen persons, including schoolchildren, five of whom were left nursing injuries. In that accident, eight children were hospitalised with broken bones and lacerations to their bodies.

“We have since investigated, the matter and five children are still hospitalised. The action (licence suspension) was taken based on the recommendation from the DPP’s Office,” he explained.

Moore promised that the Police Traffic Department would apply this new approach (licence suspension) for any serious accident.

“So not only in cases where persons would have caused the death of someone, but as long as a driver is involved in an accident and we find that they were driving in a carless manner, we will take the same approach to forward the file to the appropriate authority in an effort to have their licence suspended pending the outcome of their charge,” he explained.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan announced two weeks ago that drivers who are on trial for charges such as causing death and dangerous driving would have their licences suspended pending the outcome of the court case.

One of the actions which Ramjattan said would tackle the recklessness and carelessness on the roadways is the suspension of the licences of those errant drivers who are on trial for those charges.

“I have started the process: that if you are charged with causing death by dangerous driving, that we are now going to — under the Section where the Minister has the power — to disqualify those charged during the period of awaiting their trial from driving. So we do a period of suspension,” he explained.

The Public Security Minister opined that he is certain this move would have a positive effect on the behaviour of road users, particularly drivers.

“The policy now is that once you’re charged with dangerous driving, you will be disqualified — and I think rightfully so — during that period and up until your trial… It will take you off the road. It is a penalty in a sense, but it is in accordance with the law… And even if you’re acquitted, well, then too bad,” Ramjattan noted.

The Public Security Minister pointed out that while the law allows magistrates to disqualify drivers who are convicted of the charges they faced, it is often not done. He noted that the laws may have to be amended to make this a compulsory imposition.

We might have to start making mandatory (that), for purposes of causing death by dangerous driving convictions, (the penalty is) disqualification… Although disqualification is a penalty that could be inflicted; normally, if someone is found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, magistrates would give a fine and/or a sentence of imprisonment, but then no disqualification after the imprisonment,” the minister stated.