Dear Editor,
Leaving Georgetown for overland travel to the Pomeroon, one is faced with traffic requirements that boggle the mind. The first is on the new WCD/EBE highway, a two-lane pavement with adequate shoulders, where there are numerous traffic signs indicating that due to schools along the highway, and during weekdays between the hours of 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM, the speed limit is 50 km/h. There are much fewer signs with the regular speed limit, and those few are in the Easterly direction. Incidentally, the regular speed-limit for this highway is 65 km/h.
It is left to one’s imagination to figure out what it actually means. For example, does the reduced speed limit only apply in the proximity of schools or throughout the entire highway? If the purpose of highways is to increase the flow and expediency of traffic, how do these severe restrictions accomplish this? Wouldn’t it have been preferable from a tax-payer standpoint to have left the old road in place but with less maintenance to bring motorists to a crawl? Were school children at risk with the old road and its speed limit set at 80 km/h? Does the limit apply on public or “summer” holidays, which occur on weekdays, when school is out? If so, how does one know when school is out? And were these new speed limits gazetted to be legal?
With all these issues roiling in one’s mind, then comes entry to Parika Township. The speed limit in this Township is 50 km/h. So before 8:30 AM, on one side of the sign it is 65 km/h and on the other side, 50 km/h. Standing about 50 feet from the sign are two traffic officers with their preferred toy, the speed gun. Just about everyone is pulled over, shown the face of the gun with a digital number supposedly representing the speed of the vehicle, and directed to the other officer, the ticket issuer. These officers expect vehicles to instantaneously reduce speed from 65 to 50 km/h or receive a ticket requiring the “offender” to pay the hefty penalty of $7,500. Ingenious at raising revenues. Thus, technically exceeding the speed limit by one km/h, referred to as speeding, can cost more than driving without a licence? Unbelievable!!
On the way from Supenaam to Charity, the road is also two-lane but without shoulders for pedestrian use. The speed limit here is 80 km/h with the exception of a couple of Administrative Centres. The clear message is that school children there are less valuable than those along the WCD/EBE highway.
One has to wonder who are the grand designers of these decisions? Are they just unfit for the position or if wittingly, is the design to enhance revenues for more pockets than one? Incongruity on the road to Charity; better is needed!
Yours faithfully,
Louis Holder