Speed cameras, radar signs go live on BJ Demerara River Bridge

Motorists using the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge will now be under automated speed monitoring, as new speed cameras and radar speed signs are activated from this weekend, in a move aimed at curbing reckless driving and improving road safety on the country’s newest major transport link.
The National Data Management Authority (NDMA), in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF), confirmed that the bridge has been fully integrated into the Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS), Guyana’s automated speed-ticketing programme that was rolled out earlier this year. The latest expansion brings one of the country’s busiest and longest bridges under constant, real-time speed surveillance. Under the system, radar-enabled cameras will automatically detect vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit, while radar speed signs will display approaching motorists’ speeds as a visual warning and calming measure. Once a violation is detected, the SRIS platform automatically generates a ticket without the need for on-site police intervention. Drivers whose contact information is registered with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will receive notices via SMS or email, while others will be served physical tickets at the registered address of the vehicle owner. Motorists can also independently verify whether a ticket has been issued by accessing the GPF’s “Find My Ticket” portal at speed.gpf.gov.gy, part of the Government’s wider push toward transparency, efficiency and digital compliance. The inclusion of the Demerara River Bridge follows sustained concerns from traffic authorities about speeding and dangerous driving behaviour on the structure, particularly during adverse weather conditions. The bridge’s length, directional flow and smooth surface have made it especially attractive to motorists inclined to exceed speed limits, increasing the risk of serious accidents.

Those concerns were heightened after two accidents occurred on the bridge during heavy rainfall earlier this week, with preliminary assessments indicating that at least one incident involved a driver losing control on the wet surface. Traffic authorities have repeatedly warned that driving behaviour suitable for dry conditions becomes hazardous when the bridge surface is slick. In response, the GPF had formally recommended the installation of speed-monitoring infrastructure on the bridge, highlighting the need for both remote camera surveillance under the Safe City, Safe Country framework and automated speed enforcement through SRIS. While the police do not directly manage infrastructure installation, the recommendations were relayed to the relevant authorities and have now been implemented. Since becoming operational on April 7, the SRIS has already issued approximately 15,000 speeding tickets across 26 active monitoring sites nationwide. The system uses high-resolution speed cameras capable of detecting violations at distances of 500 to 600 feet, capturing images that display the vehicle, recorded speed and time of the offence. Each speeding violation carries a fine of $7,500, and tickets can be paid through online platforms such as MMG Services or tracked through the GPF’s online portal. If all issued fines are collected, the system has the potential to generate as much as $112.5 million in revenue – funds that authorities say underscore both the scale of speeding violations and the deterrent value of automated enforcement. Officials stress, however, that revenue generation is not the primary objective. Instead, the focus remains on behaviour change, compliance with speed limits and the reduction of traffic accidents and fatalities. The activation of speed cameras on the Demerara River Bridge signals a broader shift toward data-driven traffic management, where enforcement is consistent, impartial and continuous. Unlike traditional policing methods, the SRIS system operates around the clock, ensuring that speed limits are enforced regardless of time, weather or traffic volume. Authorities are urging motorists to adjust their driving habits accordingly, pay close attention to radar speed signs and exercise greater caution – particularly during rainfall – on the bridge. With traffic volumes expected to increase as development continues along the Demerara corridor, officials say compliance will be critical to preventing serious collisions. As the SRIS network continues to expand, the Demerara River Bridge now joins a growing list of monitored roadways where speed enforcement is no longer occasional but constant – marking a decisive step in Guyana’s evolving road safety strategy.