Police must wear body cams, licenses to be suspended as authorities tackle road carnage

By Sharda Bacchus

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In a decisive move to curb the alarming rise in road accidents and fatalities, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced a series of new measures aimed at holding errant drivers accountable and improving road safety in Guyana.

Key initiatives include the use of body cameras by police officers, enhanced CCTV surveillance, and stricter penalties for traffic violations.

Speaking during a live broadcast on Thursday, President Ali emphasized the urgent need to address gaps in existing traffic laws. He pointed out that driver licenses will now be suspended for those who fail to adhere to road regulations.

“As it is now, the law provides for the suspension of license and I have asked the Traffic Chief, Commissioner of Police and the leadership of the Guyana Police Force to take immediate steps to have this law implemented fully,” he said.

“We cannot continue to have this type of indiscipline on our roadways, especially with the trucks and truck drivers,” President Ali added.

His remarks were made in the presence of Acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken and senior officials of the Guyana Police Force.

For the year so far, a disappointing 18 licenses have been suspended, a figure that fails to reflect the true scale of the problem, according to the president. In recent months, truck-related accidents have become increasingly common, with reckless driving and blatant disregard for traffic laws at the heart of many incidents.

To address this, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall revealed that a stringent regime will soon be introduced for truck drivers, with tougher penalties designed to minimize the dangers posed by large vehicles on the road. Speed limits will also be tied to the weight of trucks, and regulations will ensure that certain roads are designated for specific types of vehicles.

With 104 fatal accidents already reported this year, resulting in 117 deaths, the situation on Guyana’s roads has reached a crisis point. To tackle this, President Ali has called for greater use of technology to monitor and enforce road safety laws.

“I have requested that body cameras be used by the Force, particularly by traffic ranks in the execution of their duties, to gather video evidence,” the president stated, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability.

He also revealed plans to invest in more CCTV cameras along key roadways to catch “errand, lawless” drivers who flout the rules.

Speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol are two of the leading causes of road accidents, and President Ali emphasized that more needs to be done to address these dangerous behaviors.

“We have to take these actions to save you from yourself,” he said. “Because you put your life at risk, and in putting your life at risk, you are also putting the life of others at risk.”

President Ali also made it clear that the government intends to strictly enforce the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Act of 2022, which prohibits bars from serving alcohol to drivers and intoxicated patrons.

“I ask the AG earlier to see whether we can also amend the laws to have the licence of bars suspended if they are not complying with this regulation and law,” he said, stressing the need for full implementation.

In the meantime, the Guyana Police Force has already issued 893 traffic tickets for breaches on the Heroes Highway, and the president hinted that more drastic measures, including license suspensions, would follow.

To further enhance awareness, President Ali also announced the upcoming installation of digital advisory boards along highways to remind drivers of speed limits. “These are necessary steps to avoid the abuse on our roadways. We have to stop these nonsense on our roadways,” he concluded, calling on all citizens to be more responsible and law-abiding.

The time for action is now, President Ali declared, as the country faces an ongoing road safety crisis that demands urgent attention.