Police warn of licence suspension for drivers creating 3rd lanes

Motorists who create illegal “two-to-one” or third lanes in heavy traffic could soon find themselves without a driver’s licence, as police intensify enforcement against what they describe as a dangerous and growing practice on major roadways. During a recent broadcast of ‘Road Safety and You,’ traffic officials warned that drivers who attempt to force their way into traffic by creating unauthorised lanes are being charged with dangerous driving and face possible suspension of their licences. Inspector Marvin Forde, who is attached to the East La Penitence Police station’s traffic department and who oversees traffic operations within the Ruimveldt, Georgetown and East Bank Demerara (EBD) area said the practice is contributing significantly to congestion and collisions. “You have to use the road according to how it is built for use,” Forde stated. “When persons create a third lane and then try to re-enter, it causes a bottleneck and can also cause an accident.”

He explained that many motorists attempt to bypass traffic by forming what is commonly referred to as a “two-to-one” lane, merging back into the legal lane ahead of other drivers, resulting in disruptions to the smooth flow of traffic. “The charge is dangerous driving, along with suspension of your driver’s licence,” the Inspector warned. According to the officers, enforcement has been heightened along major corridors, including the Mandela to Eccles Interlink Road, where traffic volumes have increased significantly in recent months. Police said that beyond the immediate safety risks, the illegal lane creation contributes to gridlock, particularly during peak morning and afternoon periods. Drivers who remain within the marked lanes often refuse to give way to those attempting to merge back in, creating further congestion and increasing the likelihood of minor collisions. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) also disclosed that new technological systems are being utilised to identify and prosecute offenders, even when traffic ranks are not physically present. “With the technology we now have, police do not have to be there when you break the law in order for you to be brought before the court,” officials said during the programme. With the upgraded technology, offenders may receive electronic notifications and be required to appear before the court, where penalties can include fines, licence suspension and other sanctions.

Plan travel time properly
Police are urging motorists to plan their journeys in advance and avoid risky manoeuvres that could endanger other road users. “You cannot leave late and expect to reach early,” Inspector Forde cautioned, emphasising that responsible driving remains key to reducing accidents and preserving lives on the nation’s roadways. Only a few days ago, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) announced that more than 6,500 illegal third lane violations have been recorded on monitored roadways using the Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS). Illegal third lane driving occurs when motorists unlawfully use the outer or shoulder lanes as additional traffic lanes, posing serious safety risks and increasing the likelihood of avoidable collisions.
Police explained that these violations are not handled as standard traffic tickets and must be heard before a Magistrate. Each incident captured by SRIS cameras is reviewed by trained officers, with evidence compiled and presented in court. So far, 585 cases have been processed, resulting in fines and in some instances, the suspension of drivers’ licences. The remaining cases are at various stages of review and prosecution. As part of enforcement, officers use electronic tablets to show drivers the recorded footage of their infractions during the charge preparation process before court proceedings. Police have also indicated that they are strengthening prosecutorial capacity to speed up the handling of SRIS-related matters. The force continues to urge all motorists to comply with traffic laws and refrain from using roadway shoulders or outer lanes unlawfully. The SRIS remains a key tool in national efforts to improve road safety, enhance accountability and reduce traffic-related incidents across Guyana.