More than 45 drivers to face court for illegal 3rd lane driving – Traffic Chief

Days after the Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS) was upgraded, more than 45 drivers are expected to be hauled before the courts for illegally creating and using an unauthorised “third lane,” as enforcement against the dangerous practice intensifies. The disclosure was made by Traffic Chief Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Singh during a telephone interview with this news publication, following questions about recent statements by Home Affairs Minister, Oneidge Walrond, regarding a crackdown on motorists who create their own lanes.
“I can assure you there is no such thing as a third lane. There are only two driving lanes on the specified carriageway,” he stated, stressing that drivers who operate outside the designated lanes are in breach of the law. Illegal third-lane driving is now being automatically detected and flagged by speed cameras under a new enforcement enhancement rolled out through the SRIS.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) and is aimed at curbing a long-standing and dangerous traffic practice. The upgraded SRIS platform uses advanced video-analytics technology to identify vehicles attempting to use turning lanes or inner lanes as shortcuts to bypass traffic. Each violation is documented using high-definition video, capturing the vehicle’s speed, lane position and licence plate number. This evidence is then used by the GPF to support dangerous-driving charges. For years, motorists have complained about drivers forming an unauthorised “third lane,” particularly during peak hours. Behaviour that often leads to collisions, sudden swerving, and traffic congestion. Authorities say the new detection feature directly addresses these concerns by providing verifiable and consistent evidence for enforcement. SRIS currently monitors traffic across more than 100 lanes nationwide, with further expansion already planned. By automating detection, the GPF is now able to enforce lane discipline without deploying officers at every intersection. “In terms of figures, I can tell you that more than 45 drivers will be before the court after all the procedural steps are completed. Those 45 drivers are expected to appear before the court between now and Tuesday,” the Traffic Chief said. In fact, he further revealed that minibus operators are among those caught in the crackdown. “What I observed today alone [Monday] is that more than 10 minibus drivers who were identified in the first stage of the process were already processed at Traffic Headquarters. I was there and saw the measures being implemented after the vehicles were identified, intercepted and forwarded for appropriate action,” he explained. Singh outlined that a structured process is followed once violations are detected. “As the drivers for those specific vehicles appear before the court, a full publication will follow thereafter for the general information of the public,” he added.

He also used the opportunity to urge motorists to exercise greater caution on the nation’s roadways. “What we encourage the road-using public to do is not drive in a manner that poses danger to other road users. When you endanger others, you are also endangering yourself,” he stressed. According to him, the Minister’s comments were intended to reassure the public that law enforcement agencies are actively addressing the issue and that advancements in technology are allowing the GPF to improve enforcement efficiency. Penalties for creating an illegal third lane fall under dangerous-driving offences and may attract fines ranging up to $200,000, depending on the severity of the offence. Less than a week ago, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken announced the most extensive technological upgrade in the history of the Guyana Police Force, including the installation of 30 new speed cameras and significant digital enhancements to road-monitoring systems.