THE Guyana Police Force Traffic Department recorded 2,293 traffic violations between August 23 and 29, as authorities continued to raise concerns over speeding, dangerous driving and other behaviours contributing to road fatalities.
Speeding accounted for the largest number of offences during the week, with 601 cases recorded, followed by 137 cases involving motorists leaving vehicles in dangerous positions.
Police also recorded 115 cases for failure to wear safety helmets, 74 breaches of prescribed fitness conditions, 59 seatbelt violations and 55 cases involving unlighted motor vehicles at the rear.
A further 51 cases were recorded for unlighted motor vehicles at the front, while 48 motorists were cited for driving tinted vehicles.
The Traffic Department also recorded 41 cases each for driving under the influence and driving without a licence. Other violations included carrying pillion riders without safety helmets (37), breaching traffic-light signals (33) and faulty parking (7).
The Traffic Department, in commenting on the week’s figures, expressed concern over what it described as the continued making of “too many excuses” regarding road safety.
Police stressed that leaving enforcement efforts to stand alone would not be sufficient to address the country’s road carnage, suggesting that greater individual responsibility was needed from road users.
The Traffic Department further noted that the fatal accidents recorded during the period were associated with speeding, dangerous driving and vehicles crossing the path of moving motor vehicles.
Police described the loss of life in these incidents as senseless and said the circumstances of the crashes would be reflected in the charges brought against persons responsible.
Alongside enforcement, the Traffic Department conducted a series of road-safety lectures and community outreach activities targeting drivers, patrons and businesses, including bars.
The sessions were held at 30 locations across the country, including Karasabai in the South Pakaraima, communities in the North-West District, Linden Highway, East Bank and West Bank Demerara, Georgetown and surrounding areas.
Outreach activities were also conducted at several bars and businesses, including Cheetos Bar, Cornbread Bar & Grill, a beer garden in Mabaruma and New Line Taxi Service.
Other locations included Giftland Mall and its access road, Ruimveldt Public Road, Yarrowkabra Public Road, Railway Line and Station Street in Kitty, Houston Public Road, Providence, Mocha, Grove Public Road, Kumaka Waterfront, Barabina Village and the districts of several police stations.
The Traffic Department’s activities form part of ongoing efforts to improve road-user behaviour through a combination of enforcement, education and community engagement.
