— scores of motorcycles seized for breaches under law

SCORES of motorcycles have been seized for various breaches by the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act.
Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent, Ramesh Ashram, told the Guyana Chronicle that the death toll involving motorcyclists continues to climb and the current operations are to ensure public safety. He warned motorcyclists that if the various operating criteria are not met, their bikes will be seized and they will be prosecuted for the respective offences.
So far this year, there have been 15 fatal accidents, eight of which occurred on the East Bank Demerara carriageway.
“These accidents continue to occur during the hours of darkness and speeding along with inattentiveness is a contributing factor, along with breaching the basic traffic rules,” the Traffic Chief told this publication. Noting that motorcyclists are especially at risk for a driving under the influence (DUI)-related accident at night, the Traffic Chief said motor vehicle drivers, need to pay special attention to them.

He explained that impaired drivers on the road add a layer of danger for bikers. Those who are far above the legal limit and exhibiting the highest levels of impairment can easily swerve into a motorcycle, come up too fast from behind and collide with a biker, or cut a motorcycle off in traffic.
The Senior Superintendent explained that motorcyclists continue to breach the basic guidelines and laws governing the use of the roadways by failure to wear helmets, towing pillion riders without a helmet, failing to stop at traffic lights and intersections and riding dangerously in and out of traffic, among other issues.
The Traffic Chief is advising all road users to observe the five ‘Cs’ and comply with the traffic laws, to minimise accidents and reduce deaths and injuries on the roadways.
He also cautioned road users to be on the lookout for errant drivers. All road users should remain vigilant and use the roadways wisely since everyone has a role to play in road safety.
Additionally, the senior cop said that speed limits are in place to protect those who travel on the nation’s streets, roads, and highways. Various roads have different variations of speed limits and compliance is mandatory.

The Traffic Chief is also urging pedestrians not to stand on a pedestrian crossing unless they intend to use the crossing. Too often persons are seen conversing while on a crossing, or merely waiting for transportation while having no intention of using the crossing.
Pedestrians are, in turn, reminded of Regulation 189 (5) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Regulations, which states that: “No foot passenger shall remain upon any crossing longer than is necessary for passing from one side of the road to the other with reasonable dispatch.”
Foot-travellers, the senior superintendent said, are also advised to always walk on the right-hand side of the road, to face approaching traffic, and to wear reflective or light coloured clothing during the hours of darkness while ensuring that the kerb drill is used at all time when crossing any roadway.
The kerb drill is “Look right, look left, look right again, and if the road is clear walk quickly across”.