GUYANA is going to revolutionise its way of handling road safety in 2025 in a bold move to tackle the menace of reckless driving.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s recent announcement shows a significant shift towards technology-driven zero tolerance that promises to reshape the country’s traffic situation.
The government’s multi-faceted approach brings together state-of-the-art surveillance technology, innovative education programmes, and strict law enforcement to cast a wide net for the protection of Guyanese road users.

This is not at all about punitive measures, but an attempt in its entirety to breed a culture of responsibility and awareness among drivers and pedestrians alike.
At the heart of this initiative is the implementation of state-of-the-art technology. The introduction of 24-hour surveillance cameras on major roadways has already yielded staggering results, with over 60,000 speeding instances detected during the testing phase alone.
This eye-opening statistic underscores the urgent need for intervention, and sets the stage for the rollout of electronic speed meters, which will provide real-time feedback to drivers. Come 2025, when the full rollout of the e-ticketing system occurs, it will be a complete game-changer.

More transparency and accountability is ensured, since less human interference means less susceptibility to bias. The writing is clear on the wall: For errant drivers, there is literally no place to hide.
While technology plays a very important role in this, it is clear that the government realises enduring change comes with education. Increased traffic education programmes, be it to the schools, drivers, and even religious leaders, showcase ways to instill a safety-first attitude from the bottom up.
This somewhat acknowledges that road safety is a collective responsibility that calls for the participation of the entire community; not just law enforcement.

But even in the face of such technological advances, President Ali’s focus on personal responsibility is laudable. In urging citizens to report bad driving, and reminding drivers of their responsibility to their families, he is cultivating a sense of accountability that no camera or fine can instill.
The holistic approach to road safety perhaps, which the government has pursued, may be an example for other developing nations with such challenges. It is combining technology, education, and community outreach in a push towards a safer, more responsible driving culture.

With these measures in place, there is no doubt that Guyana will be successful in reducing cases of road accidents.

After all, this programme will be truly considered a success, not just by the reduced accident statistics, though the early results seem promising, but by the fundamental attitudinal shift of the nation with respect to road safety. As aptly put by President Ali himself, “It is one death too much on the road.” The government is taking huge steps with this approach to make sure every life is safeguarded on its roads.