-147 charged for tinted motor vehicle

ONE MONTH after the launch of Operation Safeway, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has charged more than 2000 drivers for speeding and 147 for tinted motor vehicles, the acting Traffic Chief, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, has revealed.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, the superintendent said 549 persons have also been charged with driving under the influence (DUI), while 81 persons have been charged with driving without a licence.

Underscoring that the Police Traffic Department has embarked on a campaign to reduce carnage on the country’s roadways, he said a number of exercises have been initiated to educate citizens about the necessity of heeding traffic laws.

He explained that the police force continues to drop ‘the heavy hand of the law’ on traffic offenders, resulting in errant road users being prosecuted for traffic offences; and driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding are the most prevalent traffic offences.

“Operation Safeway was launched in an attempt to clamp down on drunk, speeding, and reckless drivers, as it intends to counter the mounting road accidents that have resulted in fatalities,” he noted.

For the period September 15 to October 16, 2016, the Superintendent said, there has been a 36.3% reduction in fatal accidents in comparison with that same period last year. He said that a total of 6,421 charges have been made against drivers for various traffic offences since the inception of Operation Safeway.