White light campaign nets 16 traffic violations on EBD roads

A late-evening traffic operation carried out by ranks of Regional Division 4B , East Bank Demerara (EBD) resulted in the detection of sixteen traffic offences along the Little Diamond Public Road, EBD, as the Guyana Police Force (GPF) continues its intensified crackdown on vehicles displaying improper or non-functional lights. According to police reports, the exercise, conducted on Friday, between 19:00 h and 22:00 h, was led by Inspector Jadunandan, along with Sergeant Rodrigues, Sergeant Fraser and Corporal Smith.

The ranks specifically targeted vehicles operating in breach of lighting regulations, as part of the ongoing “White Light Campaign.” The initiative focuses on ensuring that all motor vehicles display proper white front lights during the hours of darkness, in keeping with national road safety laws. During the three-hour operation, officers recorded sixteen offences. These included three cases of unlighted motor vehicle fronts, three instances of obscured identification marks, three cases of unlighted rear lights and seven instances of breach of prescribed fitness. Police further reported that seven Certificates of Fitness were revoked as a result of the violations discovered. The “White Light Campaign” is part of a broader effort by Regional Division 4B to promote safer roadways and enforce compliance with long-standing traffic regulations. Since 2021, the GPF has intensified its nationwide crackdown on vehicles fitted with coloured or improper lighting systems, a trend that has noticeably increased over the years. Law enforcement officials have repeatedly warned that coloured lights are not only illegal but also pose a serious threat to road safety, as they can distract or temporarily blind oncoming motorists, significantly elevating the risk of collisions. The campaign draws its authority from Regulation 34(1)(a) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, which mandates that every motor vehicle (with the exception of motorcycles and certain small carriages) must display two lamps showing a white light to the front during hours of darkness.
The regulation, highlighted by the GPF in an April 2019 public advisory, remains a fundamental component of ensuring visibility and safe navigation on the nation’s roadways. Friday night’s operation is one of several similar exercises expected to continue along the East Bank corridor and other high-traffic areas as police maintain their push to reduce road accidents and promote responsible driving behaviour. The GPF has reiterated its commitment to ongoing enforcement, noting that compliance with lighting rules is essential for reducing nighttime hazards and safeguarding all categories of road users.