Guyana’s Police Chief, Commissioner Leslie James maintains that the current traffic laws are sufficient enough to deter drivers from being reckless on the roadways, but he believes the drivers need to change their attitudes.

“Its attitude. That has played a major part in most of these accidents. We have been doing what we have to do. We have received complaints of policemen on the road stopping people and telling people how they are driving. But we will continue to do what we have to do,” he asserted.

The Police Commissioner said while in many developed countries, there may be higher fines and more penalties, Guyana has its own laws that were developed specifically for these issues.

“I think (the fines and penalties) it’s sufficient at this present, but it just speaks again to the attitude in which persons conduct themselves. It’s almost as if they are flouting the law.”

At present, persons charged with speeding, face a fine of between $5,000 to $7,000.

But the Guyana Road Safety Council (GRSC) told News Source recently that its Law Enforcement Sub-Committee is actively looking at the issue with the aim of reviewing the current fines and penalties, possibly increasing it much higher.  

The Council is also looking at proposing a demerit point system, which is used globally for drivers.

The Commissioner said the Force has launched an aggressive road safety operation in all 10 Administrative regions.

“We have to increase numbers now following this operation that commenced on Sunday. And will continue until we see a change in the attitude of users on the roads,” he added.

President David Granger recently raised concern about what he called the “insane speeding” on the country’s roadways.

Speeding is the leading cause of road accidents in Guyana.

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