— says police monitoring congestion along East Bank, East Coast amid road expansion works

INATTENTIVENESS and careless driving can quickly lead to accidents that may result in serious injuries or loss of life, Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mahendra Singh, has warned.
Singh made the remarks while outlining how the Traffic Department is managing increasing traffic volumes across Guyana and the measures being implemented to ensure road safety for all road users.

The Traffic Chief noted that motor lorries regularly transit between the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, the Timehri area and the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) Public Road to transport construction materials to Georgetown, Region Three and other developing areas.
At the same time, private vehicles and public transportation are also using the same roadways, contributing to heavier traffic flows.
“Construction is taking place actively at multiple sites along that very route. Take Supply for instance, where at least one carriageway is currently excavated while contractors work to improve the road surface,” Singh said.
“That tells you that we have deployed our ranks to manage traffic to reduce congestion and address those who contribute to it by forming additional lanes, overtaking or driving dangerously,” he added.
The Traffic Chief pointed out that sections of the East Bank corridor have already been expanded, allowing for smoother movement between certain areas.
“When you take this into consideration, part of that East Bank road has already been expanded. From Coverden maybe all the way to Relief, you’ll find the road has been widened, so it’s quicker for you to travel through that section,” he said.
However, Singh noted that congestion tends to occur in areas where road works are still ongoing.
“But where the space has not yet been improved and they’re working on it, you’ll find congestion occurs because traffic converges into a single lane,” he explained.
The Traffic Chief added that this convergence results in slower movement as vehicles are forced to travel one lane at a time.
Turning to the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), Singh said ongoing road repairs and bridge reconstruction are also affecting the smooth flow of traffic.
He explained that traffic ranks have been strategically deployed in high-traffic areas to assist with managing congestion.

However, he noted that there are limitations to what officers can do where road infrastructure is still under development.
“There is only so much that traffic ranks can do to ease the burden because of road traffic engineering,” he said.

Despite these challenges, Singh disclosed that traffic flow has improved compared to previous months along both the East Bank and East Coast corridors.
The Traffic Chief also addressed the recent opening of the Aubrey Barker Road to Ogle link, noting that newly commissioned roadways often require additional monitoring.
“With every new road space that is commissioned, opened or built, there will always be a demand for traffic ranks to be deployed, despite road signs, markings and signals,” Singh said.
He added that the North Ruimveldt Police Station, which is located close to the new interlink, will support traffic management in the area.
Additionally, a Traffic Management Outpost has been established at the northern exit of Aubrey Barker Road.
“Both of these police resources are outfitted with traffic ranks and mobile patrols to monitor the area and take appropriate action to improve road safety and reduce accidents,” Singh explained.
The Traffic Chief further revealed that there has been a 28 per cent reduction across all four categories of accidents — fatal, serious, minor and damage — compared to last year.
However, he noted that fatal accidents have increased.
According to Singh, there have been 24 fatal accidents resulting in 26 deaths so far this year, compared with 18 fatal accidents and 19 deaths during the same period last year.
“Now aside from this, there is an expectation by the police that the public will drive within the prescribed speed limits, observe the rules of the road, and while taking advantage of these new road openings, not become overzealous,” he said.