Motorcyclists account for 43% of road deaths so far in 2025 – Pres Ali urges caution

President Dr Irfaan Ali has issued a strong appeal to all road users, especially motorcyclists, to exercise extreme caution on the nation’s roadways.
Revealing that 43 percent of road deaths recorded thus far in 2025 involve motorcyclists, the Head of State has said that, even more troubling, 72 per cent of those fatalities involved riders who were not wearing helmets.

“I am appealing to all road users, especially motorcyclists, to exercise extreme caution. The data is clear. Too many lives are being lost due to carelessness and failure to wear basic safety gear,” the President has said.
According to official figures from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), 2024 had seen a 30 per cent reduction in road fatalities, with the national death toll falling from 145 in 2023 to 102 in 2024. This dramatic drop had come after a surge in 2023 that had seen 178 deaths, much of which was attributed to reckless driving by individuals aged 25 to 42.
Notably, fatalities among men declined by 25 percent, and deaths in the high-risk 25–42 age group dropped by 49 percent. Both motorcyclist and pedestrian fatalities decreased, but President Ali warned that motorcyclists remain the most vulnerable category on Guyana’s roads.
Meanwhile, the Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Singh, issued a separate advisory, urging citizens to desist from a dangerous new social media trend involving individuals running in front of roadside speed radar signs to test their sprinting speed.
The practice, which gained popularity after a viral video on social media, has now escalated, with more individuals attempting it at night and in groups — posing serious safety risks, especially in low-visibility areas.
“That is not a safe practice,” Singh cautioned. “If anyone wishes to test athletic skills, do it on a field or track designed for that purpose. These radar signs are not meant for such use.”
Earlier this month, the Government, in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), launched the e-ticketing system, a key element of the Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS) Project, which is now being used for this trend.
On Monday, President Ali announced that the system had already led to a dramatic reduction in speeding incidents. He described the system’s success as a step towards safer roads and more accountable driving behaviour across Guyana.
The Guyanese leader reminded that, within the first 12 hours following the system’s launch, a total of 259 violations for speeding, 29 breaches for driving without a seatbelt, and one for driving while using a mobile hand-held device were detected.
According to the President, that number has now dropped to an average of 98 violations per day, demonstrating the immediate impact of technology in promoting road discipline and saving lives.
“The traffic cameras for the e-tickets, it’s not to give people tickets, it’s to save lives, it’s to ensure people do what is right. And we’re going to expand that ticketing, electronic ticketing system here on the highway in Region Three to keep you safe, your children safe, your family safe”, he detailed.
“From 275-plus to 98 since the introduction of this system. And that is what we said when we said we want technology to aid development. So, here in your communities, although you can’t raise these challenges, I am telling you that a safe community, safe country project, will be expanded even more within this NDC,” President Ali assured.

Penalties
Speeding or using a mobile phone while driving attracts a fine of $7,500 each time the offence is committed.
Additionally, failure to wear a seat belt is an offence which carries a fine of $7500 for 1st offender and $10,000 for second offender; while dangerous driving is fined at between $25,000 and $50,000 for first offence; $75,000 or licence suspension for repeat offenders.

Failure to pay the ticket, according to existing laws, could result in a driver’s licence being disqualified until the payment is made.
In an effort to increase transparency and accountability among road users, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has also launched a new feature on its website for members of the public to track their tickets for road traffic violations.
Through this feature, drivers can enter the ticket number, their taxpayer identification number, or motor vehicle registration number, to find out the status of any tickets that may have been issued to them.
The e-ticketing system is a key element of the Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS) Project, being implemented in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the National Data Management Authority (NDMA).
The new system will operate through a network of radar speed cameras that would automatically detect vehicles exceeding the legal speed limit. Once a violation is recorded, a ticket would be generated immediately. If the driver’s contact details are registered with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), that driver would receive a notification via SMS and email.
However, in cases where contact details are unavailable, a physical ticket would be mailed to the vehicle owner’s registered address. The process would be fully automated, eliminating the need for manual ticketing and ensuring that enforcement remains fair and free from human interference.
Government has partnered with MMG to make it easier for motorists to pay fines directly through its platform. In the near future, violations will also be accessible via the Guyana Revenue Authority’s “Padna” app, giving drivers the ability to check and settle their fines online.
To ensure the public is fully informed about the new system, the Government will soon launch a nationwide public awareness campaign. This campaign will educate drivers on how the system works, what to expect if they receive a speeding ticket, and the process for paying or contesting a violation.