Speeding radars serve as preventative measure for errant drivers – Traffic Chief

– says signs allow drivers to adjust speed limit

Traffic Chief Senior Superintendent of Police, Mahendra Singh, stated that newly installed speed radars along several highways across the country serve as a preventative measure for errant drivers.

These radars were installed as part of a collaboration between the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) and will be connected to an advanced cloud infrastructure.
These signs are designed to monitor the speed of vehicles and more so, to generate data to implement strategies aimed at reducing speeding and improving road safety across the country.
With these signs being deployed countrywide, this project underscores the Government’s commitment to leveraging technology and data-driven solutions to create safer roads and smarter traffic management systems.
However, in a telephone interview with Guyana Times, the Traffic Chief stated, “It’s more of a preventative measure—not an opportunity to capture a photograph of a speeding vehicle. It is to inform you, the driver, that the rate at which you are travelling is above the permissible speed limit for the specific area.”
Singh also provided a hypothetical example of how the signs could aid drivers.
“This is a prevention methodology that helps motorists in real time. For instance, if you are unfamiliar with a specific area or simply going with the flow of traffic on a clear road, you might unknowingly accelerate beyond the speed limit. These signs immediately alert you thus allowing you to adjust your speed accordingly.”
According to Singh, this is just the pilot phase of the initiative but it is unclear if the second phase of the system will involve linking the radar signs to cameras to issue tickets to drivers who are caught speeding.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in Guyana’s efforts to improve road safety and reduce traffic violations through technology.
Back in December, President Dr Irfaan Ali stated that as part of a clampdown on speeding, the Government will soon move to publicise speed advisories and erect digital boards to indicate the speed of drivers along major roadways.
He noted, too, that additional body cameras are being procured for traffic ranks while urging better usage of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage to clamp down on errant drivers.
It was reported that as of December 1, 2024, 99 people would have lost their lives in fatal accidents when compared to 148 in 2023.
In addition, 263 serious accidents, 366 minor accidents, and 1039 damage accidents were recorded thus far for 2024 bringing the total number to 1767 compared to 2491 last year.
As part of a stepped-up effort to reduce traffic violations, the force has issued around 60,000 tickets this year, totalling an astounding $400 million in traffic fines.
Earlier in the year, the Government had already made amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act as well as the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Bill to toughen up the penalties for drunk drivers – and the bars that serve them. Among other things, the legislative changes make causing the death of someone through drunk driving a case of vehicular manslaughter.
The penalty for driving while over the legally allowed limit of alcohol in the blood system has been changed from a $7500 fine to now $200,000, and the sentence from 12 months to 24 months. The penalty for driving under the influence and losing control of your vehicle has been increased from $30,000 to $60,000 fine and 12 months’ imprisonment to now $200,000 fine for first-time offenders and $300,000 for second-time offenders. (Misheal Henry)