The Police Traffic Department is clamping down on motorists who fail to comply with the traffic laws.
Ranks are conducting exercises around Georgetown (B-Division) and are removing illegal music systems from several mini-buses.

This exercise is an ongoing component of the Guyana Police Force’s ‘Operation Safeway’ implemented in October 2007, aimed at reducing road fatalities and curbing road lawlessness.

Traffic Officer at the Brickdam Police Station, Deputy Superintendent John Daniels, said while the Traffic Department continues to stringently enforce the laws, there are many drivers who are in breach of the Road Service licence. The 1999 Amendment of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act 51:02, stipulates the fine for loud music in mini-buses, the minimum being $20,000 and maximum $40,000.

Daniels said officers examine buses and if they find that they have altered music systems, then these are taken out and the operators are charged.

“We take them to the court and let the court decide what fine they pay. You will find that most of them, after they would have been given a road service licence, they would change the system in the bus. When they were examined they all had flat panels,” he said, noting that most buses now have raised panels with additional speakers, boosters, amplifiers, pre- amps and equalizers.

Daniels also noted that some motorists have also added CD and DVD players and these are also being removed and confiscated by the police.

He issued a call for all drivers, conductors, passengers and pedestrians to comply with the rules of the roads and operate within the confines of the law.

Meanwhile, officer in charge of traffic for southern Georgetown, Sergeant Heron Anderson, believes that bus drivers, conductors and owners had ample time to adjust their systems so as to abide by the law. He said the law enforcement officers will not spare anyone found to be in breach of the law.

He added that drivers and conductors, in a blatant move to break the law, are hiding speakers and amplifiers in the panels and under the seats of buses.

Operation Safeway was put into effect to curb lawlessness on the roadways. Since its implementation, more than 4,000 traffic tickets have been issued and 14,000 cases made against defaulting drivers. Of the lot, 8,000 cases have been successfully prosecuted and about 6,000 are pending in the courts. (GINA)