24-hour road surveillance cameras now authorised by law

THE road intelligent camera enforcement system, a technology aimed at enhancing road safety, was approved on Monday with the passing of the Amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Amendment Act in the national assembly.
The amendments have been enacted to legally implement the use of 24-hour surveillance cameras on major roadways. Their objective is to assist law enforcement in identifying drivers who exceed speed limits and fail to wear seatbelts while operating a vehicle.
The implementation of this new law will involve fitting the road intelligent camera system onto traffic lights, with management responsibilities falling under the Guyana Police Force.

Consequently, photographs will be captured of vehicles that violate speeding and seatbelt regulations, followed by sending both the photo and a fine notification to the owner’s mobile phone number and mailing it to their registered address.
Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, highlighted the significance of enacting the bill, emphasising its necessity in light of Guyana’s ongoing transformational development.

The minister also pointed out that, over the past few years, there have been hundreds of deaths owing to road accidents. In 2023 alone, some 175 persons lost their lives in road accidents.
“We have noticed generally…the growth and development of our country. Along with this growth and development, along with the investment in our roads [and] an increase in vehicles on the road, we still struggle with road traffic accidents and deaths,” he posited.
The new laws are expected to play a critical role in acting as a deterrent to speeding and the violation of other traffic laws.

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill commended the bill which he said will bolster the state’s ability to enforce traffic laws across the country.
“This is a straightforward piece of legislation that will strengthen our enforcement of our road laws and ensure that we get better compliance,” he said.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, also registered their support for the amendments.
Members of the parliamentary opposition also voiced their support for the critical piece of legislation.