Reg 5 Traffic Officer urges passenger involvement to combat speeding

Traffic Officer for Division Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Inspector Shawn Massay called on passengers of public transportation, especially minibuses, to intervene when the drivers are speeding along the roadway.
Massay made this call during a recent episode of “Police and You,” where he emphasised that a collective approach is needed to address road safety.
“If you are a passenger or an occupant in a vehicle, and you realise that the driver is driving recklessly, it is your responsibility also to tell the driver to reduce his speed…”, the Inspector added.

This call to action from Massay follows Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh’s recent proposal to increase fines for speeding and failure to wear seat belts.
Singh advocated for increases from $7500 to $25,000 for speeding and from $7500 to $35,000 for failure to wear seat belts.
The proposal, already submitted, awaits approval, with Singh emphasising the pivotal role of law enforcement in reducing road accidents.
While Singh acknowledged the need for heightened Police visibility, Inspector Massay’s insights shed light on the behavioural aspects contributing to road safety challenges. Massay urged drivers to break the culture of late departure, which often is the reason for road accidents.
Massay’s call for passenger involvement resonates with Singh’s broader strategy to tackle road safety issues.
The Traffic Chief outlined plans for the acquisition of 120 new speed guns and emphasised the urgency of calibrating existing equipment. Additionally, Singh proposed a realignment of Police shifts based on statistics from problematic areas to ensure a more visible and effective Police presence.