“Police can only do so much” – traffic chief on growing roadway congestion

Addressing the growing issue of traffic congestion on the roadways, Traffic Chief Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh is contending that the “police can only do so much,” noting that, in many cases, the situation is out of the control of traffic ranks.
Singh has explained that the problems are often compounded by poorly executed roadworks or heavy-duty machinery breaking down on the roadways. Regarding the machinery that breaks down on the roadways, the Traffic Chief contended that owners/contractors must take more responsibility to ensure the vehicles in question are in working order.
“When these machines break down on the road and the congestion is amplified by the actions of inconsiderate drivers, only then are you hearing that the police are needed.”
He then urged that fact-checking must be done on crane vehicles before they are driven on the nation’s roads.

“The person who’s transporting the crane or large equipment, can they fact-check the lorry and or better ensure that it’s properly maintained? If you’re going to have a poorly maintained vehicle, it’s just like your body, you’re going to know when your body is not responding the way it usually does.”
He added, “The only thing I can do to mitigate is work with the harbor bridge or others who are owners of these large equipment and lorries to move the equipment during non-peak hours. Secondly, deploy ranks on foot or motorcycle where the congestion is likely to occur most. With the cooperation and observation of the rules of the road and compliance with direction, much more can be done.”
The Traffic Chief also reflected on the recent traffic buildup on the East Coast of Demerara, where motorists were stuck for hours. He explained that a damaged GWI pipe delayed repairs, causing further congestion.
“When they excavated that carriageway, they incidentally damaged one of the GWI pipes. GWI came and didn’t remedy it until after midday the following day. Then on top of that, the contractor poured cement mixture. So, you had implications for one, nothing still could drive over because it had to cure.”
Additionally, he mentioned that police ranks were left to handle one lane of traffic. “The police were left to maneuver within one lane of traffic for two lanes of vehicle flow. Then drivers on the railway embankment, the inconsiderate attitudes of drivers on the subject cannot be overlooked. When two lanes of traffic were flowing, many of them formed a third and a fourth lane. So, anything going east can’t progress. What is going west will go at a slow pace.”
Nevertheless, the traffic chief reminded that his department is also limited by resources. He explained that traffic ranks are also required for patrols and escorts, both nighttime and daytime duties.
“The allotment of ranks that we have, sometimes when these demands come up, there may be an insufficiency of police to address multiple locations in a specific space to adequately bring relief right away. We can’t have people hiding under rocks thinking that we have plenty of ranks.”
Moreover, he emphasised that there can be significant relief of traffic congestion once cooperation from motorists is achieved.
“I wanted to have an appreciation that owing to what prevailed with multiple locations in the same regional police division, the response may not be as adequate or deemed fit or necessary or on demand at the time. Drivers need to have that appreciation.” (G2)