Legislation to make the fitting and wearing of seat belts compulsory and the introduction of roadside breathalyser tests with severe penalties for those under the influence of alcohol have been recommended in a strategic report on the Guyana Police Force.
Stabroek News
July 4, 2001
The report was prepared by the United Kingdom-based Symonds Group Limited following a visit here by its consultants during October and November last year.
They also recommended the enactment of legislation allowing the introduction of radar evidence as a norm in the courts together with priority been given to the proactive policing of speed limits. Other recommendations were the establishment of a national database of motor vehicles and drivers which police patrols could access and the introduction of a system for fast-tracking traffic tickets which has an element for independent scrutiny to ensure its integrity.
The consultants said there "is a general concern that there is little or no regard for speed limits within Guyana, a view which is endorsed by the personal experiences of the consultants during the review."
"There are reportedly a number of factors affecting this particular problem which include insufficient signage, lack of appropriate road markings and blatant disregard for the traffic law."
The consultants noted that while the use of the radar gun had been introduced in an attempt to impact on the issue of speeding, "the actual reality is that the radar guns are not calibrated and the accuracy of the evidence is not accepted by the courts."
With regard to driving under the influence of alcohol, the report noted that "there is clearly no safety culture in the country regarding the use of alcohol and drugs by drivers, pedestrians and cyclists."
They noted too that "there is no independent devices available to test the proportion of alcohol and drugs in a driver's breath, urine or blood and the medical profession is reluctant to confirm the presence of such substances - a pre-requisite of the courts for prosecution. If a motorist declines a medical examination, then there is no means of compelling any such test."
Another shortcoming identified by the consultant is the lack of officers trained in traffic investigation, The report pointed to the fact that none of the traffic officers had any specified terms of reference or job description. It noted, too, that the work of the officers was hindered by the fact that there is no national database of drivers or vehicles which could identify vehicle details, the owners or those who may be disqualified or those who have driving convictions.
The report highlighted the insufficient focus on the work of the traffic officers, pointing out that "they routinely perform non-core tasks such as the marking of roads and repairing traffic lights."
"It is reported that despite this being the responsibility of another agency, there is frustration amongst the patrol officers that it would not be done, thereby resulting in more accidents."
The report proposed too that many of the present functions of the Traffic Department should be reappraised. It said that while a case could be made for the Traffic Department to continue to be responsible for the management of driver testing and associated tasks in the rural areas, it should be discontinued in Georgetown.
This should "not consume the time of officers in Georgetown where the majority of vehicles are", the report said.
The report also commented favourably on the effort to embark upon a course of public education in traffic-related matters, in particular work in schools and advertisements on television.
"This is to be applauded, but more significant investment in these areas need to be made if they are to have a major impact."
Many of the issues covered in the report such as the use of seat belts have been under consideration by the police and the Ministry of Home Affairs but progress has been slow. Draft legislation was recently circulated in respect to some of these issues. (See other story on page nine.)