“Toe the line” overseas but lawlessness on local roads

The recent observations by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) highlight a troubling and persistent reality: traffic laws in Guyana are treated as optional by far too many motorists. The phenomenon has become so normalised that even those who demonstrate exemplary discipline when driving abroad abandon that behaviour once they return home. It is an indictment on individual drivers and also on the wider culture that continues to tolerate recklessness on the roadways.
NRSC Chairman Earl Lambert captured the problem bluntly when he pointed out that Guyanese drivers “toe the line” overseas but revert to lawlessness on local roads. This inconsistency speaks volumes about a national mindset that undermines respect for authority, prioritises convenience over compliance, and disregards the rights of fellow road users. Illegal parking, reckless overtaking, speeding, and the chronic overloading of minibuses are not minor inconveniences; they are daily hazards that compromise road safety, endanger lives, and erode public order.
Inspector Mark Forde’s reminder that motorists cannot simply “park anywhere and go conduct business” underscores the scale of indiscipline, particularly in urban centres such as Georgetown. Illegal parking not only contributes to congestion but also exacerbates tensions between drivers and pedestrians, already strained by a lack of courtesy and respect. This indifference to rules, coupled with disregard for pedestrian safety, deepens the risks faced by some of the most vulnerable users of the road.
Authorities have turned to stronger enforcement measures, including clamping, towing, and ticketing, in an attempt to curb these violations. Technology is also being leveraged, with the Ministry of Home Affairs’ SecureEye app offering citizens a channel to anonymously report reckless drivers and illegal activity. Yet, while enforcement remains necessary, it will not by itself dismantle the entrenched culture of disregard. Changing behaviour requires a shift in public consciousness, where respect for traffic laws becomes a civic norm rather than an imposition.
The problem of road indiscipline carries broader implications beyond safety and convenience. Former President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Kester Hutson, rightly underscored the connection between road culture and the wider national image. Tourism, an increasingly critical pillar of Guyana’s development strategy, is vulnerable to the impressions visitors form the moment they traverse the country’s roads. For many tourists, the driving experience is not a side issue but a central part of how they perceive Guyana as a destination. A culture of speeding, chaos, and intimidation on the roadways sends a message of disorder, deterring repeat visits and tarnishing the very image the nation is working hard to project.
The private sector’s call for a collaborative approach is timely. Addressing road indiscipline requires more than police patrols and punitive measures; it demands coordinated action between government agencies, law enforcement, civic groups, and businesses. Sustained public education campaigns can reinforce the message that compliance is not optional, while schools can play a role in instilling a culture of road safety among the next generation of drivers. The business community, for its part, can lead by example, ensuring that corporate fleets and contracted transport providers operate with the highest regard for road safety.
Infrastructure development also plays a role in shaping behaviour. Road expansion projects currently underway offer an opportunity to integrate better traffic management systems, designated parking, and pedestrian-friendly designs. However, no amount of physical expansion will compensate for cultural indifference. The root issue remains behavioural, and until that is confronted directly, Guyana risks repeating the cycle of congestion, accidents, and fatalities.
The time has come for road safety to be treated as a national priority rather than a seasonal talking point after accidents or traffic campaigns. Respect for traffic laws is not a matter of convenience; it is a fundamental measure of civic responsibility. The double standard of strict compliance abroad but indiscipline at home must be called out for what it is: a failure of accountability and an affront to the rule of law.
If Guyana is to advance as a modern, safe, and competitive society, its citizens must take responsibility for their conduct on the roadways. Enforcement, education, and infrastructure are necessary, but they must be matched with a cultural shift towards discipline and respect. The stakes are too high, not only for the safety of road users but also for the nation’s reputation and economic prospects.
The culture of lawlessness on Guyana’s roads cannot continue unchecked.