Technology takes on 3rd-lane driving

For years, Guyana’s roads have borne the brunt of one persistent and frustrating problem: illegal third-lane driving. During rush hours, drivers exploiting turning lanes or the inside lane as shortcuts have disrupted traffic flow, forced lawful motorists into sudden swerves, and contributed to preventable collisions. These practices have not only angered drivers but have also impeded efficiency on major thoroughfares, creating delays that ripple across the city and beyond. The launch of automated monitoring through the Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS) represents a decisive step toward addressing this longstanding challenge and restoring order, safety, and discipline on the nation’s roadways.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), bringing modern technology into the enforcement landscape. The upgraded SRIS platform employs advanced video-analytics technology to capture illegal lane usage with precision. Each incident is recorded in high definition, documenting the vehicle, its speed, lane position, and licence plate number. This verifiable evidence allows authorities to act decisively while reducing reliance on sporadic manual enforcement or human observation. The system ensures consistency and fairness, establishing a clear deterrent to drivers considering taking advantage of traffic bottlenecks.
• Drivers weaving between lanes increase the likelihood of collisions, endanger pedestrians and cyclists, and exacerbate delays for motorists adhering to traffic regulations. By addressing these behaviours systematically, SRIS provides both accountability and deterrence. Coverage currently spans more than 100 lanes nationwide, with expansion plans already underway. Automated detection ensures that lane discipline can be enforced effectively even in areas where police presence is limited, creating a comprehensive, data-driven approach to traffic management.
• Recent investments include the installation of 30 new speed cameras, the deployment of 6685 body cameras, and the addition of five CCTV locations nationwide. These upgrades have expanded the Force’s monitoring capabilities, enabling more timely responses to incidents and significantly increasing enforcement outcomes. Electronic ticketing has surged from 837 in 2024 to 24,793 in 2025, illustrating the impact of integrating technology into daily operations. Complementary improvements, such as digital workshops for officers and upgrades to the national 911 service, have strengthened both operational efficiency and public trust in law enforcement.
Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, emphasised that the use of technology is critical to creating a safer, more disciplined traffic environment. Automated enforcement reduces the potential for human error, ensures objectivity, and provides a fair system that all road users can understand and trust. These tools also relieve officers from the constant need to patrol congested intersections, allowing them to focus on other critical aspects of traffic safety and public security.
Motorists are urged to follow lane markings, respect traffic laws, and acknowledge their role in creating safer roads. The combination of digital enforcement and responsible driving can transform the commuting experience, reducing accidents, easing congestion, and improving daily travel for thousands of Guyanese.
A disciplined traffic environment enhances economic productivity by reducing delays on major routes, supports emergency services by ensuring unobstructed lanes, and fosters public confidence in the institutions tasked with maintaining order. Technology and enforcement are not ends in themselves; they are tools to cultivate a culture of responsibility, awareness, and mutual respect among road users.
The introduction of automated detection through SRIS sends a message that the era of shortcuts and hazardous lane practices is coming to an end. Enforcement is no longer sporadic or inconsistent; it is systematic, evidence-based, and nationwide in reach. As the system expands and drivers adjust to clear, consistent rules, the roads of Guyana are poised to become safer, more orderly, and more predictable.
By combining data-driven enforcement with public cooperation, Guyana is taking a critical step toward ending one of its most persistent traffic hazards. Illegal third-lane driving, once tolerated out of necessity or convenience, now faces a future defined by accountability, discipline, and measurable results.