The Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force recorded a total of 52, 932 traffic offences with the e-ticketing system installed along the Mandela, Georgetown to Eccles, East Bank Demerara highway.
The offences were recorded between the period of October 1 – 21, 2022. Based on data released by the Guyana Police Force 16, 453 drivers were found to be above the speed limit and 36, 479 drivers failed to wear seatbelts.
But none of the drivers will be prosecuted since there is no legislation in place to allow for the drivers to be fined electronically.
“They are testing the equipment but it hasn’t been enforced or in the law as yet, I think that is the process they are trying to figure out and get on stream soon so this is just a test to see how the system works, how the equipment works if it can capture somebody without a seatbelt and capture the speed, stuff like that,” Head of the Corporate Communications Unit for the Guyana Police Force, Mark Ramotar told the News Room.
According to Ramotar, a data-collecting exercise is currently ongoing while the authorities are working to put all legal systems in place to support Magistrates and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
“For now, we cannot enforce it. We are just trying to put all the systems in place before we roll it out,” Ramotar said.
The News Room understands that while a committee was formed to execute the project, nothing has been done as it relates to the legal aspect of the system.
Before the system is rolled out, there will also have to be a period of sensitisation and education for the public.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, in December 2021 said that amendments to the country’s laws to allow for electronic ticketing of traffic offences will be tabled in the National Assembly this year.
This is part of the government’s posture to clamp down on dangerous driving.
Meanwhile, the e-ticketing system, which has been in development for several months, uses cameras and other technology to accurately monitor traffic, check speeds, and read licence plates for Guyanese vehicles.
The system was developed to flag any traffic offenders and automatically issue and email traffic tickets to the driver.
The automated generation and dispatch of e-tickets are expected to improve the efficiency with which fines and penalties are enforced, as well as contribute to the modernisation of the Police Force in carrying out its mandate to ensure public order and safety.
The system operates 24 hours a day and is expected to encourage drivers to follow traffic laws, promote greater driver discipline on the roads and lower the number of accidents caused by dangerous and reckless driving.
It is also expected to be expanded to many busy areas, removing the need for police officers to monitor traffic and write and process tickets for traffic violations.
The no seatbelt should be no charge……the drivers and passengers are kindly consenting to die in accidents and thus improve the process of natural selection. We will get smarter as a Nation…..
No laughing matter…….most deaths you see in Guyana are as a result of no seatbelt.