Speeding tickets generated by the new automated system will be issued to vehicle owners based on their registration details with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). But what if the owner wasn’t the one driving at the time of the infraction? Rest assured; there is a built-in process to ensure accountability.
Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, clarified that the updated legislation allows owners to contest tickets by identifying the actual driver in court. He said that this system ensures accountability, but it also allows for fairness.
However, the process does not immediately absolve the owner.
The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act of 2024, specifically, 45I (3), says: “If the registered owner at the time of entering his plea at the hearing of the offence alleges that he was not the driver of the vehicle at the time when the alleged offence was committed, the court may cause a summons to be issued to the person who is alleged by the registered owner to have been the driver or the person in charge, making him a co-defendant in the proceedings. The court may, after hearing the evidence and witnesses, if any, of all parties, make such order as to the payment of any fine and costs as to the court may seem just.”
Starting Monday, April 7, 2025, the Guyana Government will roll out the automated speed ticketing system under the Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS) Project.
The automated system works by detecting speeding violations with advanced cameras that have a range of 500 to 600 feet, the Chief said.
He noted that once a violation is recorded, an image showing the time and speed of the vehicle is captured. If the owner’s contact information is registered with the GRA, they will receive a notification via SMS or email. Otherwise, a physical ticket will be delivered to their address.
The fine for speeding remains at $7,500, and all tickets must either be paid or contested in court.
Singh also noted that with automated enforcement in place, traffic officers can be deployed to areas without speed cameras, expanding the force’s reach and promoting safer roadways.
Currently, speed cameras have been installed along Heroes Highway, with future placements expected at Convent Garden. Additional cameras are also in operation on the East Coast of Demerara, including near MovieTowne Mall and Good Hope.
With no manual intervention possible, the system ensures impartial enforcement, eliminates human bias, and strengthens accountability—both for vehicle owners and drivers.
