Police continue targeted operations for road safety

– 466 traffic offences detected
– white and coloured lights campaign conducted

In a concerted effort to enhance road safety, traffic officers across all policing divisions conducted a comprehensive white and coloured lights campaign this past Friday and Saturday.
Since 2021, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has intensified its efforts to crack down on vehicles equipped with coloured lights across the country, resulting in several individuals being charged.
There has been a noticeable rise in the number of vehicles fitted with coloured lights, which pose significant risks to other road users. These lights can be both blinding and distracting, increasing the likelihood of serious accidents.
The initiative, which focused on reducing violations and ensuring safer road conditions, led to the detection of 466 offences.
Among the violations were significant issues such as driving under the influence (DUI), speeding, and breaches of prescribed fitness regulations, with particular attention to tinted motor vehicles, especially concerning front window tint.
Additionally, 14 motor vehicle fitness certificates were revoked during the campaign.
The authorities emphasised that the ongoing campaign is part of their broader efforts to maintain safe roadways and ensure compliance with traffic laws. These targeted operations are expected to continue in the coming weeks as part of a long-term strategy to reduce traffic-related incidents and protect the public.
In April 2019, the GPF issued a statement addressing this issue, citing Regulation 34 (1) (a) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. The regulation mandates:
“Every motor vehicle, the width of which does not exceed seven feet, other than a two-wheeled motorcycle not having a sidecar attached thereto and an invalid carriage, on any road, during the hours of darkness shall carry two lamps, each showing to the front a white light visible from a reasonable distance.”
Also in 2022, amendments were made to the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act as well as the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act to prevent drunk driving and carnage on the roadways.
Under the amended Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act, licence holders are mandated to impose obligations on drivers at their establishments and are required to play a more active role in the prevention of drinking and driving.
Among other things, it specifically assigns responsibility to the licence holders to prohibit drunkenness on the licensed premises and to not sell, give or barter intoxicating liquor to a drunken person.
The licence holder is also required not to sell liquor to a person knowing they are likely to leave the premises by driving, unless that person has identified a designated driver.
They are also required not to sell any person identified as a designated driver and to inform the nearest Police Station and request their immediate assistance in cases where a drunken person is attempting to drive.
Fines for breaches of these obligations by the licence holder amount to $100,000 for the first offence, and $200,000 for a second offence.
In addition, as it relates to tinted vehicles, vehicles in Guyana are allowed to have tinted windows without a permit, provided the occupants are visible. Inspector Garvin Boyce, Traffic Officer for Regional Division 4A, clarified that tint is not illegal but must adhere to specific regulations, including a requirement for 65 per cent light penetration.
Tints are permitted on side windows but not on the front windshield, ensuring police officers can observe drivers. Overuse or misuse of tint, such as applying darker tints (e.g., 5 per cent), poses safety issues by reducing visibility.
The enforcement of tint regulations is guided by the Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, who has the authority to issue tint permits and set policies.
While there are calls for reconsideration due to the recent heatwave in Guyana, Boyce emphasised that changes to the law rest solely with the Minister.