Traffic Police crackdown on dangerous driving near Harbour Bridge

Traffic officials are intensifying enforcement efforts at the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), where improper lane usage continues to cause congestion and accidents.
During a recent televised programme, traffic officers on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) raised concerns over reckless manoeuvring by some drivers, particularly those attempting to cut ahead of traffic.
According to the Traffic Officer for the EBD Inspector Michael Ramdas, many drivers are disregarding designated lanes, creating a dangerous bottleneck at the bridge.
“Approaching the Demerara Harbour Bridge, one of the lanes you occupy, which is the western side of the eastern carriageway, that is to turn onto the Harbour Bridge to access the West Bank of the Demerara (WBD). The other lane, which is on the eastern side, which leads you straight along the East Bank, that is to access the East Bank, farther south on the East Bank,” he explained.

Despite clear markings, he stated that some drivers misuse the faster-moving turning lane to bypass slower traffic, only to merge back dangerously at the last moment.
“We plead with the drivers, do not adopt the lane that you want to turn to go onto the Harbour Bridge and you are in the lane that goes straight along the East Bank or heading farther south behind the Harbour Bridge. Adopt the lane that you intend to use,” Inspector Ramdas warned.
This reckless behaviour not only slows traffic but also leads to collisions, according to Ramdas.
“You can only imagine the amount of damage, accidents, with the same cut across. Because now you are coming straight and you want to turn right onto the Harbour Bridge. So, you have to cut in front of vehicles. And that poses a great danger and threat,” he stated.
Police enforcement efforts have led to a significant number of citations he said.
“Every morning, we would be at the Harbour Bridge here, myself along with my ranks, and we would conduct enforcement on those same vehicles. In the afternoon, we would conduct on those vehicles. In the morning, we would conduct on motorcycles. And you can only imagine the amount of tickets issued every day,” the Inspector said.
Authorities are urging drivers to respect road rules to ensure smoother traffic flow and prevent unnecessary accidents. Enforcement exercises are expected to continue, with police maintaining a presence during peak hours to deter reckless driving.
The DHB, a vital link between Georgetown and the WBD has been plagued by traffic congestion and safety concerns due to reckless driving behaviours for years.
In January 2024, the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) reported a surge in vehicles overtaking during standard two-way traffic crossings, a clear violation of the bridge’s regulations.
This dangerous practice has led to an increase in both minor and major incidents on the bridge. In response, the DHBC has warned that drivers caught overtaking or speeding may face bans from using the bridge.
The bridge enforces a speed limit of 32 kilometres (20 miles) per hour and prohibits unauthorised stopping, parking, or overtaking.
Despite these rules, many drivers engage in speeding and overtaking, contributing to accidents and structural damage.
In 2021, the number of accidents on the bridge doubled compared to the previous year, primarily due to speeding. This alarming trend has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and improved driver education.
Commuters have also expressed frustration over gridlock caused by impatient drivers who bypass queues by using outer lanes, exacerbating congestion.
There have been reports of traffic officers overlooking such infractions, especially when offenders are acquaintances, leading to perceptions of unfairness among law-abiding drivers.