Traffic cops using wheel clamps in intensified campaign
POLICE Traffic Chief Neil Semple said his department will intensify the use of wheel clamps countrywide during the Christmas season. Consequently, he warned motorists to park their vehicles smartly and avoid any obstruction.
The Senior Superintendent told the Guyana Chronicle that 25 wheel clamps were donated to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) by the Ministry of Transport and Hydraulics last August 20 and, since then, an all out campaign began, in all districts, to enforce traffic laws which include those relating to parking.
Semple said, in light of the approaching festive season, any vehicle parked on the roadway that obstructs traffic will be locked with wheel clamps and that driver will either receive a ticket or be charged for the offence.
He said all traffic ranks, including those on patrol, are in possession of wheel clamps and will use them.
Semple reported that, within recent times, there has been a sharp influx of vehicles and now being registered in the ‘NN’ series.
He disclosed the previous ‘MM’ series reached the 10,000 mark and the change is to accommodate the registration of another batch of vehicles.
The Traffic Chief observed that, at Christmas time, people are inclined to park anywhere, especially when they go shopping in the commercial areas and, following a request, Police Commissioner Henry Greene made good on his promise and 20 additional personnel were added to the Traffic Department for the upcoming season.
Semple said the newly trained ranks will be posted in every Police division in  traffic departments across the country.
Alluding to the road fatality statistics, he urged motorists and all commuters to use the roads with care and be alert at all times and look out for children and the elderly, as well as animals.
For this year, so far, 106 people were killed in 92 road accidents, as compared with 104 deaths in 87 accidents over the same period last year.