-GPF steps up education, enforcement, and safety initiatives

THE Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Traffic Department has reported that a total of 1,819 traffic cases were recorded between September 7 and 13, 2025, as law enforcement continues its heightened crackdown on dangerous driving practices and road-safety violations.

Of the cases logged during the period, 674 were directly related to common traffic offences, with speeding leading the list at 231 cases.
This was followed by 114 cases of motorcyclists failing to wear safety helmets, 105 instances of vehicles with illegal tints and 87 cases of motorists failing to wear seatbelts.
Additionally, 20 drivers were charged for driving under the influence of alcohol, while police also recorded breaches such as unlighted vehicles, faulty packing, and violations of prescribed fitness conditions.

ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES
As part of its ongoing public education campaign, the Traffic Department visited 48 schools across 10 regions, including institutions in Georgetown, Linden, Bartica, Lethem, Moruca, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, the Essequibo Coast, Berbice, and the hinterland. The schools included major institutions such as All Saints Primary (Region Six), St. Ignatius Nursery (Region Nine), Houston Secondary (Region Four B), and Matthew’s Ridge Secondary (Region One).

Lectures and interactive sessions were held with pupils, teachers, and parents, focusing on pedestrian safety, helmet and seatbelt use, and the dangers of speeding and drunk driving.
Traffic ranks also conducted 20 road lectures at busy public locations such as the Soesdyke Junction, the Mahaica Public Road, the Tuschen Public Road and the new Ogle Highway. These sessions were complemented by community outreach exercises at Mahdia, Tuschen, and Diamond, as well as flyers distribution at Lethem, where materials were provided to Brazilian drivers entering Guyana. A public-awareness radio programme was also broadcast on NCN 102.5 FM.

In addition to enforcement and education, the GPF carried out a widespread repainting exercise of pedestrian crossings at schools and public roads. The works stretched across Regions One, Two, Four, Five, Six, Seven, and Nine, including key areas such as: Georgetown (Water Street, Robb Street, North Road, and Church Street, in partnership with Republic Bank Guyana); Rose Hall Town and JC Chandisingh Secondary (Region Six); Golden Grove and Mahaica public roads (Region Four C); Santa Rosa and Matthew’s Ridge (Region One); Aurora and Anna Regina Multilateral (Region Two); Bartica and Potaro (Region Seven); and Arapaima Primary, Region Nine
The repainting initiative is aimed at boosting visibility and pedestrian safety, particularly for schoolchildren.

The latest statistics come at a time when road safety remains a major national concern. Despite intensified police presence, road accidents have continued to claim lives in 2025, underscoring the importance of citizen co-operation in observing traffic rules.

The GPF said it will maintain a zero-tolerance policy for violators, while continuing its outreach in schools, communities, and border entry points to foster a culture of responsible road use.