SENIOR Superintendent Ian Amsterdam, recently appointed Traffic Chief at Traffic Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, commenting on the present minibus culture of lawlessness has said that he will make examples of recalcitrant minibus drivers and conductors.He noted with concern the attitudes and behaviours portrayed by both minibus drivers and conductors, who consume alcohol while operating on the various routes.

Amsterdam added that they are equipped with more breathalysers and radar guns and as such, all divisions will have to step up their drunk-driving and speeding campaign countrywide.

He however urged all road users to be their brother’s keeper and exercise patience and tolerance while utilising the 5 Cs.

The new traffic chief told this publication that he has long observed that there are many impatient drivers on the roads and people are just not driving defensively and if we want change, we must be the change for it to happen.

He pointed out that their focus this year will be on all categories of road users, since persons are riding without lights on bicycles and without helmets on motorcycles, in very poorly lit areas and to top it off, they are wearing dark clothing.

Amsterdam stated that pedestrains need to pay attention while utilising the roadways and desist from jaywalking and walk texting etc., since all those are distractions from one’s safety.

He explained that they are also concentrating on more night criss-cross patrols and doing more for their education and awareness campaigns and the best way they can disseminate information.

The senior officer added that passengers need not sit and wait for an accident, but report to any police station of incidents of speeding and drunk-driving among other things so they can do something about it.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force said it continues with its traffic-enforcement efforts in order to maintain road safety. Accordingly, a number of cases have been made against motorists for breaching the traffic laws during the period January 11 to 17, 2015.

These include:

Speeding                                                                     284
Driving Under the Influence                                       20
Breach of Condition of Road Service Licence           44
Careless Driving                                                         04
Dangerous Driving                                                     11
Failing to wear seat belts                                            31
Prohibition of the use of hand held mobile phone      19

Up to January 20, 2015, there have been five (5) road fatalities compared to nine (9) for the corresponding period last year.