CONDEMNING the everyday reckless usage of the roads by some drivers, Traffic Chief and Senior Superintendent of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Mahendra Singh has said that all drivers, regardless of their status, will face the consequences of breaking the law.

Acknowledging that some drivers do not practise the five ‘Cs’ of the road, Singh revealed some of his findings with the Guyana Chronicle and the major factors that contribute to reckless and dangerous behaviour on the roads.
“We conducted a number of assessments as to the cause of the reckless driving that is being experienced on the roadways, and I know that we all can agree with the first one, and that’s speed, the usage of cellphones while driving (especially texting), alcohol, and/or the music system in their vehicles.

“Even though there are several other factors that contribute to the dangerous behaviours of some of our drivers, the ones pointed out are some of our major factors that are causing our drivers to be distracted on the roadways. Drivers need to understand that when they act in this manner, they are not only putting themselves at risk, but more importantly, they are endangering the lives of others,” the traffic chief related.

According to him, even though the contributing factors are not new to the public’s eyes or ears, he urged all of Guyana to do their part in ensuring that these practices are stopped.

He said: “If you are to check our statistics or check to see what is prevailing these days, at least 25 percent of the deaths on the roadways and our accidents that we experience are as a result of alcohol consumption.”

No one is above the law
Traffic cops ensure that offences such as speeding, breeching of traffic lights, undertaking, using unlawful lights, unapproved sirens, and riding without a helmet are dealt with according to the law, and Singh is saying that any official or driver who is caught for such offenses would face the appropriate legal action.

“Every day we are seeing so many drivers and riders that are breaking the law, but let us be honest with ourselves… We need to get into the habit of letting people face the penalty if they break the law, and the police will take the requisite action to issue a ticket and to charge and place you before the court.”

He continued: “No one is above the law and the police officer who is in neglect of performing his duty with due diligence as he is required to; he or she will be disciplined with a charge sheet internally and/or the process of warning and it will have an impact on his or her upward mobility.”

Reminding drivers that they can be charged even though they are under the legal limit of alcohol, Singh said, “Many people would try to argue that they cannot be charged because they are under the legal limit; however, that is correct to a point.

If you are involved in a fatal accident, then it will show that you were under the influence of alcohol at the time, which means that your motorist skills would have been impaired or impeded upon, preventing you from being fully functional.”

Helping to curb the issue
In keeping with the rapid development, especially in infrastructure, the traffic chief said that the GPF is conscious that the increased development in roads will lead to more vehicles and people on the roadways. According to him, “We have a traffic plan in place; it has a specific focus, which includes community relations, and one of the most important and critical ones is the increase in traffic education.”

Appreciating the crucial role that Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken plays in making sure that ranks interact with the public at a community level, through educational institutions, bars, and even churches, Singh said: “Commissioner Hicken has been leading by example when it comes to the ranks interacting with the people at a community level.

The aim is for us to work together with the public, highlighting issues and producing solutions so that we can suppress crimes and bring ease to the members of the public.
The traffic chief urged all drivers to work in the best interest of themselves and others and recognise that there is no benefit to being reckless on the roads.

Referencing the recent meeting that was held at the National Stadium in Providence by Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, Singh said, “Like Minister Edghill said, putting restrictions on the truck drivers doesn’t mean that the government or the GPF is trying to reduce their earnings, but we cannot have a free for all society where anything goes, and drivers need their rest in order for them to better function on the roadways.”