— Top Cop

POLICE Commissioner, Leslie James, said a change in attitude of motorists in the way they use the road is foremost for a reduction of carnage on the roadways.
James was at the time speaking at a press conference at the Guyana Police Force Boardroom, Eve Leary, Georgetown, on Tuesday.

“We would like to see a change in the attitude of motorists in the way in which they use the roads and you would have heard statements by the traffic chief speaking directly to the attitude of persons using the road; the way in which they would drive, the way in which they would use the road resulting in serious and fatalities,” Commissioner James stated.
Errant motorists, he said, are dealt with fully by the law when caught.

“The law as it is today and penalties and so on like fines being given to persons who are found driving dangerously and even to the case where persons are incarcerated following a fatal accident being charged with causing death by dangerous driving, I think it’s sufficient at this present time,” he noted.

Last weekend, the commissioners and his deputies met with the traffic chief and traffic officers from all the divisions to look at how they can effectively address reckless use of the road by motorists. That meeting saw the birth of Operation Safe Roads.

Operation Safe Roads has since resulted in the police apprehending a number of motorists for various offences. Some have been charged and others ticketed.

Commissioner James also urged reporters to spread the road safety message.
“But I would ask that you the journalists play a role to appeal to the users of the roads in the way in which they are doing at this present moment,” he said.

He further stated that a number of persons have been complaining about the stops which police have been conducting and noted that all will be done to ensure safety on the roadways.

Over the last month, dozens of lives have been lost in road accidents, including that of a senior police officer.