Latest update June 12th, 2025 12:50 AM
Latest News
- Canadian firm sitting on 44 sq. km with 5.4M ounces ‘buys out’ surrounding properties, now controls 71 sq. km
- Israel kills 120 Palestinians across Gaza in 24 hours, death toll surpasses 55,000
- GMIN eyes LNG from GTE project for Oko West gold mine
- Adriana to be laid to rest on June 22
- Government warned over Guyanese entering, living in US illegally
Government officially launches safe road intelligence system (SRIS)
Kaieteur News – The traffic department of the Guyana Police Force on Monday officially launched the safe road intelligence system (SRIS).
Safe Road Intelligence System
Speed radar
The SRIS is an automated process that addresses speeding, the use of seatbelt, obscure number plates, among other offenses. It is an unfolding project that has been in existence since July 2024.
Speaking with Kaieteur News on Tuesday, Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner, Mahendra Singh, said speed cameras are positioned at a mounted angle along the Heroes Highway, the East Bank Public Road at Covent Garden and Little Diamond, as well as along the East Coast at Annandale, Movie Towne and Good Hope.
He explained that while the speed radar sign does not issue tickets, it serves as a traffic calming measure to notify drivers of their speed and advises them to slow down. He added that the radar detects severe offences, more notably speeding of motorists and reveal to the traffic department how many persons have been speeding, where and at what time.
The commissioner noted that with the new system, the traffic department’s work will be more effective, without complacency or compromise.
Kaieteur News understands that when an offence is committed, the driver will be summoned to court and the evidence from the camera will be used for their charge.
“Nobody can make a call to get help, because the system does not exempt anyone. Everyone is subjected equally across the board and fairly,” the commissioner said.
Singh said there is a demerit point system which accumulates points for several similar offences. Once a total of 10 points are accumulated for the same offence, the motorist’s driver’s licence could be suspended for a minimum of six months.
He said once a driver commits an offence, the registered owner will be charged and taken before the court. If at the time the offence was committed the owner was not the driver, they will have to either present the driver as a co-defendant before the court or the magistrate will summons the driver to pay the ticket.
Meanwhile, Kaieteur News spoke with road users on Tuesday, who expressed their view on the SRIS. One driver, Esther (only name given) told this publication that she believes it is a good initiative that can keep drivers safe on the roadways.
“I do feel that they could have been better implementation or rollout of this process. Had there been greater information being shared with the public specifically drivers, prior to this system being implemented. As well as what driver can expect in terms of the speed limit, how soon they’re expected to pay these fines and what are some forms of the punishment for committing the offence,” she said.
Another driver, Nalini Barker said because persons are allowed to bypass the system, drivers will continue to speed and accidents will continue.
“In my opinion, I don’t think it would reduce the number of accidents since the most persons are buying their licence, according to sources. Some people still don’t know like braking distance, they don’t know how to park properly, they don’t know how to overtake properly and those are things that you need to know as a driver,” she said.
- Assistant Commissioner, Guyana Police Force, Mahendra Singh, safe road intelligence system, speed radar, traffic, Traffic Chief, Tuesday
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Is there a looming crackdown on Guyanese migrants?
Kaieteur News – The diplomatic note arrived quietly, but its message rang loudly: the United States government has... more
UN Security Council Fails Ukraine, Gaza and the World
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- When Russian drones stalk civilians along Ukraine’s Dnipro River and Gaza’s hospitals... more
Weekend Cartoon
