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A thousand traffic cases

Oct 05, 2023 Editorial

Kaieteur News – According to the Guyana Police Force, the Traffic Department recorded over 1000 cases of violations on the road in a mere three days. We give a hand to the ranks and officers of the Traffic Department for collaring 1050 errant road users in the short stretch of time from Sunday, September 10 to Tuesday, September 12.

On average that is 350 cases per day. Now, we have two questions for the Traffic Department’s top people. First, what does this say about what was happening in flurries, falling apart before the eyes, and with almost nothing being done on a daily basis by the Traffic Department people on the roads?  And, second, for how long, or how often, are constructive and clearly helpful traffic exercises intended to be a part of the Traffic Department’s programme?

When 350 road users, on average, are caught in some traffic violation or the other in a surprise sweep, this does not speak well about what the reality of local roads is, but about which so little was put in place to arrest. Indeed, the road has its share of ranks on police motorcycles and other official vehicles all on the move from location to location. Yet, the madness, indiscipline, and litany of troubling issues were visible for all law-abiding commuters, drivers, and passersby to observe, shake their heads knowingly.  It is Guyana, and what now contributes to a state of generalized road lawlessness.

In Guyana, there are those who drive at the speed of their choice, no matter how dangerous it is to others.  There are those who park inconsiderately and make a heavily congested town even more congested.  There are those who overtake and undertake recklessly, and refuse to use the roads responsibly, with a view to the presence and safety of others.  In this randomly selected grouping, there is a most worrying aspect that other users of the road cannot help but notice.  Members of the GPF’s Traffic Department are usually on duty, or in the vicinity of various violations, and no action is taken.  Or when a move to do something is attempted, it is neither for lawful nor clean purposes.  This has served as an incentive to others in driving and riding communities to test the waters with reckless abandon, be it through speeding, tailgating, impatient horn blowing (even in silent zones), traffic light violation, and other forms of aggressive and churlish behavior.

When 350 violators (or thereabouts) of Guyana’s traffic laws, rules, and regulations could be snared in a day, then there is only one conclusion, and it is nothing but reasonable.  It had to be that traffic violations were occurring on a regular basis on roads, streets, and elsewhere at rates that were close to the average number found in some sort of deficiency during that three-day sweep.  Despite the huge number of vehicles in operation on local roads, three hundred plus violators hauled in is still a heavy number to absorb.  With that in mind, the second question now applies: what will the seniors and planners at the Traffic Department do now that they have a solid idea of what is taking place on our roads at consistent rates?

The Traffic Department people know where the hot spots are, and which subsection of road users are likely to be among the offenders, with an eye on younger drivers, public transportation operators, and truck and other heavy duty vehicle drivers.  Guyana’s roads are rich with an array of vehicles, and it is made frightening by those who endanger themselves and others, while adding more tightness and tension to a  rough road situation. The head of the Traffic Department should also be well aware of who he has on the roads looking out for the welfare of all users, and who has clearly fallen down on the job relative to even-handed enforcement.  In addition, there should be some commonsense understanding of the network back in the station house and at the front desk that neutralizes rules and regulations, which supports the daily lawlessness occurring on the roads.  Whatever is done, these traffic sweeps should be continued, and the provisions of the law be applied fairly, squarely, and consistently.

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