Between October 1 and 21, 2022, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) logged 52,932 traffic offenses via the e-ticketing system along the Mandela, Georgetown to Eccles, East Bank Demerara highway. Despite this, none of the drivers faced prosecution due to the absence of legal provisions permitting electronic fines. Well, this is about to change as the government moves to introduce new legislation to govern the use of these devices.
According to the Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, the groundbreaking bill is scheduled for debate in the National Assembly next Monday.
Nandlall, during his weekly “Issues in the News” programme, stressed the importance of the bill in curbing lawlessness on the roadways at a time when the country, according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, is witnessing a 500 per cent increase in vehicle registration. The bill also comes against the backdrop of a plethora of new roads being built and the rehabilitation of existing thoroughfares countrywide.
“Persons will be charged based upon the speed recorded by these cameras and photographs taken by these cameras, and a ticket will be generated and electronically transmitted to the registered owner of these vehicles…The owners will have to go to the Magistrates’ Courts of this country to pay those tickets or to contest the charge,” Nandlall explained.
He added that these cameras will be monitored by trained members of the GPF, who will also maintain and update a database which will be integrated with that of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). This sharing of information will allow law enforcement officials to obtain specific information and reach/notify owners of vehicles caught on camera violating traffic rules.
He added that very soon, drivers will be required to submit email addresses and mobile phone numbers to allow notifications from the unit managing the system. When a vehicle is caught on camera committing an offence, officials will send out notifications to the registered owner via the provided contact information.
He added that a mechanism will also be in place to allow these tickets to be attached to driver’s license.
“So, when you go to renew your driver’s licence and you have tickets outstanding you will have some problems. This system has worked in North America and it has been implemented in several countries in the Caribbean already. We are moving in that direction,” Nandlall said.
The Guyana government has also implemented a series of statutory interventions to address drunken driving, including regulating how alcohol is sold to drivers, potential drivers, and likely drivers. Penalties for drunken driving have been increased, and a new offense called Motor Manslaughter has been created for those who cause death while driving drunk.
Additionally, a regime of suspension and disqualification of driver’s licenses for drunken drivers and repeat offenders has been imposed.
