In the wake of a number of accidents, Traffic Chief Linden Isles has warned drivers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) over speeding and the abuse of vehicles assigned to them.
According to a release yesterday from the GPF, Isles was speaking on Saturday at a special seminar held for the Force’s drivers from the 10 Regional Divisions inclusive of Headquarters at the Officers’ Training Centre, Eve Leary.
The release said that the seminar was in keeping with President David Granger’s call for a thorough assessment of how the recent fatal accident at Friendship, East Bank Demerara involving a police vehicle with siren and private car driven by a soldier occurred and how to prevent a recurrence. Five persons died in that crash.
A day after the seminar, on Sunday morning, a police vehicle, PWW 5435 crashed into two utility poles and a shop at Perseverance, East Coast Demerara. There were no serious injuries.
The release yesterday said that Isles on Saturday instructed the drivers that sirens must be used only in cases of emergency and not for ordinary duties or simply traversing as “abuse may cause the public to become dismissive”. The release added that reports of police abusing sirens and forcing other drivers off the roadways are common and that this must cease immediately as the force’s drivers are to stick to speed limits and remain in their respective lanes, even while undertaking escort duties.
“Speed is the leading cause of road fatalities in the country, but yet still, police are always speeding which he attributed to usual lateness and reminded the drivers that they are required to report 15 minutes before the actual time of duty and in doing so there would be no need for speed. In some exceptional cases, he advised that it is better to arrive late, than not at all”, the release said.
He warned that the police are not above the law and that the drivers must set the example for the public to follow.
Isles also revealed that the force is currently developing new and advanced driving programmes to enhance ranks’ skill in areas of remedial, tactical and escort driving. He added that police drivers will operate as defensive drivers and those who are found to be inadequate will be reassigned.
Taking control of the little things will prevent escalation, Isles stated, when speaking on the issue of traffic breaches being committed in view of police patrols and ranks on or off duty where no action is being taken.
“I receive reports of ‘blue lights’ and we have patrols on the roads, they don’t see ‘blue lights’? That’s a violation, you don’t have to be a traffic rank or on duty to take action…” he stated, adding that ranks who are culpable will be charged for neglect of duty.
The release stated that many of the ranks themselves are guilty of such breaches, hence their unwillingness to take action. Isles urged that they take back the power they have given to the public by complying with the law, “rectify whatever breaches you have on your private vehicles and if you need to use tint, it should be in keeping with the law…”
The drivers were also reminded of the importance of using Vehicle Logbooks to record their movement when using Force vehicles, and any defects to ensure adequate maintenance of the vehicle. They were also advised of the Administration’s intention to create a Best Driver Award.
Isles is to hold a seminar of a similar nature with drivers of emergency vehicles aside from the Police Force.
