Weak prosecution undermines road safety enforcement

The conversation on road safety in Guyana has once again taken centre stage following remarks by Chairman of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), Earl Lambert, and officers within the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force. Their comments highlight a sobering reality that despite intensified traffic enforcement and repeated calls for deterrence, the country continues to grapple with weak prosecution and lenient penalties that allow reckless drivers to return to the roads with little consequence.
The consequences of this deficiency are evident. Every year, countless lives are lost or irreparably altered due to accidents caused by reckless and irresponsible driving. The Police have undeniably stepped up enforcement, investing in roadblocks, surveillance, and record-keeping. Yet, the effectiveness of such measures depends heavily on the judicial follow-through. A system where offenders can evade accountability due to prosecutorial lapses and in some instances, soft sentencing, undermines both the deterrent effect of enforcement and the public’s confidence in the rule of law.
Lambert was unflinching in his criticism of prosecutorial weakness. His remarks underscored a stark comparison between decades past, when Prosecutors were both skilled and feared, and the present era where lapses allow repeat offenders to “get away with it”. Such commentary cannot be dismissed as nostalgia, but must instead be taken as a pressing call to address deficiencies within the prosecutorial arm of the justice system. Strong prosecution is not merely about securing convictions; it is about ensuring that the law serves its intended purpose, protecting citizens and promoting order on the nation’s roads.
This concern was echoed by Sergeant Carl Pedro, who detailed the cycle of repeat offenders appearing before the same Magistrates for identical infractions. The existence of proper record-keeping means that repeat offenders are easily identifiable. However, unless prosecutors consistently and forcefully present the seriousness of these violations, many drivers walk away with minimal fines, suspended sentences, or bail amounts that hardly qualify as deterrents. For a reckless driver, a $75,000 bail is no more than a temporary inconvenience, not a meaningful punishment.
The Judiciary, too, bears its share of responsibility. Magistrates are empowered to impose stiffer penalties, including licence suspension, disqualification, and even custodial sentences where warranted. However, the extent to which such penalties are enforced appears inconsistent. While some drivers do face harsher consequences, others do not.
This is not to suggest that the courts alone are to blame. Lambert correctly emphasised that responsibility is shared. Effective road safety enforcement requires strong synergy among the Police, Prosecutors, and the Judiciary. If any one of these pillars falters, the entire system weakens. The Police may perform admirably in apprehending offenders, but without robust prosecution, cases collapse. Similarly, without a Judiciary willing to impose penalties that reflect the gravity of the offence, the deterrent effect vanishes.
The Government has signalled awareness of this gap, announcing reforms aimed at improving the quality of Police Prosecutors through training and support from the Attorney General’s Chambers. These reforms are necessary and welcome, but they must translate into tangible results. Too often, initiatives are launched with much fanfare but lack follow-through in implementation. Road safety cannot be relegated to lofty commitments; it requires consistent action, regular evaluation, and accountability at every stage of enforcement and prosecution.
Moreover, this is not solely an institutional issue but also a cultural one. There is a tendency in society to treat traffic offences as minor infractions, rather than life-threatening conduct. Dangerous and careless driving is not a victimless act; it places every other road user – drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike—at risk. Until penalties reflect the seriousness of these offences, and until prosecution is executed with the necessary rigour, the culture of impunity will persist.
Road accidents continue to claim far too many lives in Guyana, and behind every number is a family left shattered and a country robbed of its human capital.
Strengthening road safety enforcement requires will, professional training, and judicial courage.