COMMANDER ‘D’ Division, Marlon Chapman has said that to maintain law and order for traffic at the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), the police now have a new arrangement, whereby ranks of the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) are accompanied by traffic officers to overlook traffic and ensure there is a free flow.

This new arrangement was recognised by motorists accessing the DHB from the West Coast and West Bank villages, reporting that there was a free flow of traffic on Monday morning, unlike the chaotic situation that previously existed, when they were trapped on the bridge.

Motorists said when they arrived at the DHB to cross, there was order and those that tried to cheat the lines were escorted away by a rank on a motorcycle.

Chapman added that after complaints were received, they did an assessment which revealed that some persons were always in a hurry and were not staying in the lines to cross the bridge. This created disorder and a build -up of traffic which they wanted to correct.

The senior superintendent noted that ranks are posted there as early as possible on a daily basis to restore traffic order, so motorists crossing the DHB could do so in a timely and organised manner.

He pointed out that new strategy implemented with TSU ranks is not to harass motorists, but to ensure there are order and a free flow of traffic at bridge.

Chapman however, commended citizens for their cooperation but at the same time warned defaulters to desist from cheating the line system in place to proceed at the head of the lines, since they will be taken straight to the nearest police station (La Grange) and charged.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday reported that there are motorists driving motor vehicles that carry what can be considered extra bright white headlights and which negatively affect the vision of oncoming motorists, as frequently the drivers of such vehicles do not dip their headlights.

The Traffic Department is therefore urging motorists driving such vehicles to extend the courtesy of dipping the lights in order to assist other motorists and avoid possible accidents.

As the police force continues with its traffic enforcement, unto Monday March 16, 2015, there have been a total of twenty one (21) road fatalities compared to twenty five (25) for the corresponding period last year.

During the period March 9 to 14, 2015, a number of cases have been made against motorists for breaching the traffic laws.

These include:

Speeding                                                                                             628
Driving Under the Influence                                                             50
Breach of Condition of Road Service Licence                                60
Careless Driving                                                                                   15
Dangerous Driving                                                                               07
Failure to wear safety helmet                                                             15
Failure to wear seat belt                                                                      45
Prohibition of the use of hand held mobile phone                        20

Twenty (20) persons were charged for the soliciting of passengers (touting).