President Ali to spearhead re-evaluation of “unusually low” speed limits

President Dr Irfaan Ali is expected to spearhead a national re-evaluation of current speed limits, particularly on highways where they have been deemed “unusually low”. This follows mounting public concerns and a wave of e-ticketing violations.
Speaking on the issue, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo emphasised the need for a balanced and data-driven approach. “It is not just a technical exercise; it requires consideration of many factors,” he stated, adding that road size, surface conditions, and accident history must all be reviewed before any new speed limit is recommended.
During his weekly press conference on Thursday, Dr. Jagdeo confirmed that the re-evaluation is being addressed at the highest level of Government, with President Ali being personally engaged in consultations alongside the Traffic Department and other relevant stakeholders.
“The President has been very concerned about this issue,” he said, noting that Ali has been working closely with the team managing the electronic ticketing system, which has significantly reduced speeding infractions.
The Vice President acknowledged that some existing limits are so low that drivers are routinely penalised for travelling at otherwise safe and reasonable speeds.
“You don’t want to set limits that are so cumbersome people get charged for just driving,” Jagdeo said.
However, he warned against swinging the pendulum too far in the other direction, given that lives have been lost to reckless speeding.
Further, Jagdeo stressed that the final decision must strike a careful balance between ensuring public safety and maintaining fair enforcement standards.
“There will always be debate — some will say the new limits are too high, others too low. But that is why this must be driven by evidence and expert analysis, not politics,” he added.
This renewed focus on speed limits comes in the context of Guyana’s broader road safety campaign, including the successful implementation of the electronic ticketing system which has already contributed to a significant reduction in speeding incidents and road fatalities.
On Wednesday, President Dr. Irfaan Ali issued a strong appeal to all road users, especially motorcyclists, to exercise extreme caution on the nation’s roadways. He revealed that 43 percent of road deaths recorded thus far in 2025 involved motorcyclists, with 72 percent of those fatalities involving riders not wearing helmets.
Meanwhile, the Traffic Chief, Assistant Police Commissioner Mahendra Singh, has issued a separate advisory, urging citizens to desist from a dangerous new local social media trend involving individuals running in front of roadside speed radar signs to test their sprinting speed – a trend which has been copied from overseas social media videos.
“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 Dr. Irfaan Ali announced the system has already led to a dramatic reduction in speeding incidents, crediting the system’s success as a step towards safer roads and more accountable driving behaviours across Guyana.
The Guyanese Leader reminded that within the first 12 hours of 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.
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.