Speeding offenders must pay full fines – Traffic Chief warns

Motorists and businesses named on the recently published speeding list are required to pay their fines in full, or identify the errant driver using their vehicle at the time of the offence(s), according to Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh.

The Guyana Police Force has issued a list of motorists who were given tickets but have not paid. On that list were businesses and individuals with as many as 77 unpaid tickets amounting to over $500,000.

The individuals named are those who own the vehicles; if someone else was driving the vehicle, the owner is still required to appear before the Court.

“The law was so constructed now as amended that the owner would be first liable and, upon appearance in court, the owner will identify who was driving at the time.

“That person becomes a co-defendant, and the law takes its course thereafter,” the Traffic Chief explained during an interview with the News Room on Wednesday.

Motorists who exceed the prescribed speed limits are notified via SMS or email. Those without registered digital contacts receive a physical ticket sent to their registered address, ensuring all offenders are properly informed.

“The option to pay is always there; there were given 14 days adequately to do so,” Singh said, noting that Magistrates have access to a portal showing how many cases are filed daily.

Singh warned that fines must be paid in full.

“This is not one of these places where you get a layaway plan… When John [not his real name] was committing the offence, he was driving as he liked, so now you got to pay. You have to pay all at once,” he said.

Singh added that authorities had made multiple efforts to ensure motorists received their tickets, including sending notices up to three times via the post offices to their homes.

“There is no shame associated,” Singh said, noting that the publication of the list is intended to encourage compliance.