Truck driver slapped with multiple traffic charges

A 39-year-old truck driver has been granted bail in the sum of $15,000 after being charged with three traffic offences arising from an accident at Helena Public Road, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Stephen Sumner of Lot 12-13 Farm, Mahaicony, ECD, appeared before Magistrate Allan Wilson at the Mahaica Magistrate’s Court last week. He was charged with failing to stop, failing to report an accident, and failing to render assistance to an injured person, contrary to Sections 62(1), 62(2), and 62(c) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. Sumner pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted bail of $5,000 on each, totaling $15,000.

The offences were committed against Detective Corporal Orin McDonald on September 7. Sumner was arrested the same day and later charged. The matter was adjourned to September 30 for report.
This matter comes at a time when traffic offences continue to crowd the courts. Officials from the Georgetown Magistrates’ Traffic Court recently disclosed that an average of about 60 persons are charged weekly in the city alone. Court sessions there are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with the most frequent offences including obscured licence plates, careless driving, and dangerous driving.
At a recent sitting before Magistrate Shivani Lalaram, several drivers were fined for careless driving, and one motorist was penalised a total of $50,000 on multiple charges. Court records also show that while the majority of defendants attend their hearings, around 30 per cent fail to appear and must be summoned, with warrants issued for those who continue to ignore orders.