Fraudulently obtaining your licence is putting a down payment on future injuries, damages and your death

Dec 31, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

You may think you are cutting corners by not studying for and taking the theory and practical portions of the test to obtain a driver’s license, but in the long-term you might actually be paying for a future regret.

I bought my driver’s license several years ago for GY$ 30,000 using an address on the East Cost of Demerara when I resided in Georgetown. I never took the practical test, never had prior professional training driving and just guessed my way through the theory test. The arrangement with the police officer from Vigilance Police Station who arranged everything was that for the GY$ 30,000, I would just need to pass the theory part of the test, the driving test was not required. So said, so done, I paid my money and got my driver’s license. If I had paid GY$ $60,000, I would’ve received my driver’s license without having to pass the theory and practical test which are designed to ensure drivers understand how to use the road, are fit and able to drive and understand road signs, dos and don’ts.

Many of my friends also bought their driver’s licenses, and including those who do not even live in Guyana. The problem of road rage, all too frequent motor vehicle accidents, injuries and deaths, and failure to observe and follow traffic rules and regulations is tied right back to the unlawful selling of driver’s licenses.

Not only are road fatalities, motor vehicle accidents and overwhelming traffic violations a direct consequence of buying our “books,” so too are the trauma experienced by those who’ve lost relatives, friends, children, parents and spouses to car accidents.

You cannot expect citizens to respect the road when the organization trying to enforce respect of the road is at the root cause of the wanton disrespect for dangerous driving on the same roads. Explain to me how this will work and what will it achieve without addressing the root causes of the problem? My message to the Guyana Police Force is to instruct traffic ranks and other officers to set an example and respect the road first. The GPF can implement systems where persons have to pay to get their license just like a passport. Use the additional revenue to incentivize performance by traffic ranks or use a portion as part of a salary top up. I implore President Ali and the government to look into the concerns expressed in this letter and instruct the GPF on the necessary mitigating actions.

This is why we have so many people on our roads who think they can do what they want, and few people who do understand how to drive.

Sincerely yours,

Chris

Chris, damages, injuries, portions, practical

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