Region 6 Police launch warrant drive to ensure traffic law compliance

In response to increasing traffic violations, Police in Region 6 (East Berbice- Corentyne) have initiated a rigorous warrant drive that is aimed at apprehending individuals evading legal consequences for traffic infractions.
Region Six Traffic Officer, Assistant Superintendent Charles Hooke, announcing this strategic move on an episode of ‘Traffic and You’, has said it is a central pillar in Police efforts to enforce road safety measures.
The intensified warrant drive comes in the wake of a concerning surge in traffic violations, with this year seeing a staggering rise from 4763 cases last year to 12949 cases so far for the year. Hooke highlighted that a significant number of offenders were avoiding legal penalties by either failing to attend court or neglecting to pay fines.
“We have reviewed our warrant drive procedures. From time to time, we would arrest persons and they would pay a fine, they would go to court, or they would have been issued a ticket and they failed to attend court; so, what we are doing is get them arrested, and ensure that they pay the necessary fines”, Hooke explained.
The renewed focus on the warrant drive aligns with the Police Force’s broader strategy to improve road safety. By ensuring that traffic violators face the legal consequences of their actions, the Police Force aims to create a strong deterrent against reckless driving, speeding, and driving under the influence.
Hooke has stressed the importance of driver cooperation, urging motorists to respect the laws of the road and contribute to the region’s overall safety.
Further, Hooke has outlined the statistics, which show a substantial decrease in serious accidents, dropping from 42 last year to 22 this year. While minor accidents experienced a marginal uptick from 56 to 59, the overall decline in accidents by 16 per cent underscored the effectiveness of the Police Force’s strategies.
Additionally, Hooke pointed out that most accidents were a result of either speeding, inattentiveness, or driving under the influence. To combat the latter issue, the Police Force collaborated closely with bar owners, urging them not to sell alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons.
“These are strategies we are using…when they have these big parties in our region, we reach out to those promoters, and we have a talk with them and we ask them to advertise…whenever they have the DJs on the stage, we ask them to edify persons as it relates to drinking and driving,” he said.
Hooke highlighted specific accident hotspots, including Number 19 Public Road and Number 94 Public Road, where additional measures would be implemented to enhance road safety.
Hooke urged individuals to adhere to speed limits, avoid distractions, and refrain from driving under the influence, emphasizing that responsible driving is key to ensuring the safety of all residents. (G9)