Traffic management to be more in real time – GPF Head, Strategic Planning Unit

Plans are said to be on stream for traffic management in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to be more in real time. This is according to Woman Assistant Superintendent Nikola Kendall, head of the GPF’s Strategic Planning Unit.
“…to come across as real time; real time information, real time examination of vehicles. We want to have an automated system that can tap into vehicle examination,” Kendall revealed during the force’s weekly “Police & You” radio programme.

Plans are on stream to have the road safety education drive. That continues, and it will be heightened, given the issue or several issues that have occurred, or several instances of those similar issues,” she stated.
“When we look into that area, or that field of traffic, what we look for is traffic posture. Traffic posture speaks to visibility, traffic enforcement activities, traffic education activities. What equipment they [traffic ranks] utilise to assist them in their enforcement activities,” she explained.
Kendall also noted some of the aspects of traffic management that her unit would look into when conducting their analysis to determine the gaps as against the standard, in keeping with the three types of accidents: fatal, damage, and serious accidents, they would look at how many accidents – the types of accidents that would have occurred within a given month or over a period of time.
Moreover, in efforts to enhance traffic awareness, and by extension improve traffic management and road safety, she stated, “In addition to the traffic education programme, whether via social media or at the schools, or there is just a session where a traffic rank may be designated to conduct a session with the drivers to influence their behaviour – because the goal is to influence the behaviour of drivers, so that we can promote road safety.
“The way we treat cases. How is it that we look at cases? How is it that we examine vehicles? How is it that we deal with learner-drivers? The seminars, the sessions. Everything will be reviewed, and it will be in keeping with best practices… plans are on stream to treat with issues in a more modern way and in keeping with best practices and international standards,” Kendall indicated.
Back in March, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, while responding to questions during debates on the 2021 Budget in the National Assembly, had said that new legislation is needed and a revision of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, should be done immediately.
He said this will aid in curbing the traffic lawlessness in Guyana, and assist drivers to adjust to the changing society.
He had indicated that statistics have shown an increase in accidents due to inattentiveness, speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol.
“This is caused because fines and penalties are small and ineffective. Hence, fines on all categories of offences should be increased by 100 per cent, being tickets and charge offences,” he stated at the time.
The Minister had stated that his Ministry is also working with the National Road Safety Council and other stakeholders to erect traffic signs, conduct road marking, and place speed humps where necessary.