Latest update June 25th, 2026 9:38 AM
Police ordered to “go light” on Speeding and Drunk Driving
The Guyana Police Force has gone light on traffic offenders in what is being described as a misguided attempt to halt “harassment” by traffic officers.
These radar guns have become useless now.
The move has resulted in the drastic reduction of charges in certain categories of traffic offences, one of which is the major cause of fatal accidents on Guyana’s roads.
Recent figures from the Traffic Department has lent credence to reports reaching this newspaper that ranks were instructed to “go light on traffic offenders”, following a directive from a senior government functionary.
This newspaper was able to confirm from ranks that two weeks ago, they were ordered to ease up issuing traffic tickets for speeding and charges for drivers who are found to be over the legal limit of alcohol consumption, which according to police figures account for three-quarter of the fatal accidents.
Figures released yesterday show that from an average of 500 speeding cases per week, the police traffic department recorded no such case for the period April 19 to 25.
There were also no recorded cases of driving under the influence of alcohol, a noticeable
Breathalysers will no longer be neccessary.
reduction from the high figures previously recorded.
And this is despite the recent acquisition of radar guns and breathalysers, at a significant cost to taxpayers.
Another area where ranks are instructed to forego prosecution is Failure to Adhere to Siren.
The decision to relax action on the areas mentioned has not gone down well with some traffic ranks as well as very senior officers, some of whom were taken aback by its suddenness.
Kaieteur News understands that the police were instructed to issue a warning to persons committing the offences.
“Could you imagine the lawlessness that we are condoning? Our professionalism is under threat these days. We are being asked to turn a blind eye to the law,” a disgruntled senior police officer told this newspaper.
Since the directive was issued however, there has been only one road death, but the traffic department is hoping that the situation does not get out of hand.
“This is the only country where the police force is being asked to allow persons to break the law,” the officer said.
A press release from Police Headquarters, Eve Leary yesterday revealed that there have been a total of 32 road fatalities, compared to 35 for the corresponding period last year.
The release also listed the amount and category of cases made during the period April 19 to 25, 2015.
These include: 26 for Driving under the Influence; 81 for Breach of Condition of Road Service Licence; 12 for Careless Driving; 13 for Dangerous Driving; 3 for Failing to Wear Safety Helmet; 31 for Failure to Wear Seat Belt and 15 for Prohibition of the Use of Hand Held Mobile Phone.
Earlier this year Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud had announced that there should be no more routine traffic stops.
He advised that traffic ranks are to stop motorists only if they observe an offence has been committed.
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