Stop at pedestrian crossings – Police warn drivers

Traffic ranks attached to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have raised concerns over motorists who continue to ignore pedestrian crossings, warning that failure to yield is both unlawful and dangerous. Speaking during a recent episode of “Road Safety and You”, Sergeant Tenesha Punch, who is stationed in Region Three (Essequibo Island-West Demerara), Leonora Traffic Department, described what she regularly observes on the roadway.

“I see people on pedestrian crossings…they are in the middle of the pedestrian crossing, and drivers are driving past them and honking their horns too, and it’s not right,” Sergeant Punch said. She urged motorists to respect pedestrians’ right-of-way. “Drivers, you need to give way to the pedestrians,” she appealed.
Another traffic rank explained the legal obligation placed on motorists when approaching a designated crossing. “The law states that each and every vehicle has to stop at a pedestrian crossing. As long as you’re seeing pedestrians standing there, it’s your job, your priority, to stop there and allow those pedestrians to cross,” the officer stated. According to Corporal Jennifer Doris, who is stationed at the Ogle Police Outpost Traffic Department, East Coast Demerara (ECD), pedestrian crossings are clearly marked and are not installed without warning.

Advance notice
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC), Earl Ambert, emphasised that drivers are given advance notice.
“These pedestrian crossings are not there by themselves. “There are signs ahead telling motorists that a pedestrian crossing is ahead,” Ambert noted. The officers also highlighted the importance of reducing speed when approaching crossings, explaining that excessive speed limits a driver’s ability to react in time. “You cannot anticipate these pedestrians. You know a pedestrian is coming, and if you’re driving… you’re supposed to know that a pedestrian is coming up, and then you need to slow down. But no, they’re (motorists) going to drive fast… and they care nothing about you,” Sergeant Punch said.
While motorists bear the primary responsibility to yield, Police reminded pedestrians that they too must exercise caution.
“Yes, it’s a pedestrian crossing. When you get there, observe the traffic, and then you cross,” Sergeant Punch advised. “Pedestrians, you also need to take precautions with these drivers. Because not everybody is the same.” The officers also warned that pedestrians can face charges if they disregard road safety practices.
“These pedestrians can also be charged… pedestrians would walk across the road; they don’t care. They wouldn’t even exercise the curb drill,” Sergeant Punch cautioned.
Traffic officials are urging both drivers and pedestrians to follow the law and exercise patience, noting that simple compliance at crossings can prevent serious injury or loss of life.
Only three days ago, on the Industry Public Road, ECD, 69-year-old Anjanie Mohabir was struck and killed while crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing by a motorcycle, prompting an ongoing Police investigation. According to Police reports, the traffic had stopped to allow her to cross, but a motorcycle travelling on the pedestrian walkway collided with her; she later died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Months before that incident, 15-year-old Navindra Mahes of Annandale Secondary School was fatally struck on a pedestrian crossing on Success Public Road, ECD. A Police corporal driving the vehicle was taken into custody and later charged in connection with the death. Over the past years, statistics have also shown that pedestrians have consistently accounted for a significant share of road fatalities in Guyana. Statistics from 2025 showed that 25 pedestrians were killed on the roadways.