End of speed guns near as gov’t begins testing electronic speed monitoring systems

President Irfaan Ali Wednesday night said Guyana has procured and begun testing an electronic speed monitoring system, targeting motorists and signalling the beginning of the end to the highly contentious practice of police-operated speed guns.

“On the new highway that we are building, we are testing right now an electronic speed monitoring system,” the President said while addressing the Tourism Awards Gala held at Parc Rayne.

He explained that the system will register the speed the vehicle is moving at, the number plate and the type of vehicle and will provide photographic evidence.

“I’m giving you an early warning; your electronic ticket will be sent to the court and your home simultaneously. Good luck, Merry Christmas,” the Head of State said.

Dr. Ali said the intention is to create an environment that is conducive here.

“We can’t have mad men and women driving on the road.”

“So, we are going to take that away from the police in the sense that they don’t have to spend hours on the road anymore with a speed gun,” he added.

The announcement was greeted with loud applause by those in attendance.

The President said he was particularly concerned with how persons use the roadways.

“Sometimes, the way some of these people drive on the road, begs the question whether we even have an appreciation for our own lives, so we are going to invest in technology and the systems that will guide change. Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of time to catch up anymore. We have to put the highest standards and everybody have to come up to speed with the standards without speeding,” he added.

Persons in recent years have contested the accuracy of the speed guns all the way to the courts. (Kurt Campbell)