Dear Editor,
I refer to a letter (‘What are the rules for proceeding on the amber light?’) in the Stabroek News of May 24, 2012, signed by Colin Gill with your editor’s note attached requesting my comments on the said letter and wish to advise as follows:
The Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act Chapter 51:02 with particular reference to the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (light signals) Regulation 4 of the Laws of Guyana in speaking to the significance of light signals (in reference to the amber light following the green light states at 4 (b) the amber light shall be taken as prohibiting vehicular traffic from proceeding beyond the stop line, if the stop line is not for the time visible, beyond the signals, except in the case of any vehicle which when the signal first appears is so close to the line or signals that it cannot safely be stopped before passing the line or signals.
Section 6 refers to the flashing amber light or flashing red light alone, and states at 6 (a) the flashing amber light shall be taken to indicate that vehicular traffic can proceed beyond the stop line, or, if the stop line is for the time being not visible, beyond the signals with caution.
The case that was brought to your attention mentions that the amber light followed the green light and was not the flashing amber light signal. Therefore under that circumstance all vehicular traffic was required to stop before passing the stop line or the light signals.
I trust that my response will clear up any similar misunderstanding by the road using public.
Yours faithfully,
Brian Joseph
Traffic Officer
Senior Superintendent
