Dear Editor,
I am writing to urgently call upon the police in West Demerara to address the continuous and flagrant breaches of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic laws. The current state of affairs is untenable, particularly during the nights and early hours of the weekends when the roads are inundated with speeding, intoxicated drivers. This poses a severe threat to public safety and demands immediate intervention.
One of the most pressing issues is the unchecked prevalence of heavily tinted windows and windshields on cars, minibuses, and trucks. These vehicles, coupled with trucks equipped with excessively bright ‘spot’ lights and others adorned with coloured lights, create hazardous conditions for all road users. The cacophony of loud music from minibuses and cars further exacerbates the danger, contributing to an environment of recklessness and chaos.
It is disheartening to observe that many traffic ranks are frequently seen mingling in bars, drinking, and socialising with the very drivers they are supposed to regulate, particularly during weekends. This behaviour not only undermines the authority of the police but also emboldens these errant drivers. There are alarming reports of traffic ranks accepting bribes and turning a blind eye to blatant violations, which only perpetuates the lawlessness on our roads.
While it is not our intention to call for the closure of liquor establishments, it is imperative that the police strictly enforce the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Bill. This legislation imposes several duties on bar owners to prevent the misuse of alcohol and should be upheld to ensure public safety.
Moreover, the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2022 has introduced stringent measures to combat drunk driving, including classifying the act of causing death through drunk driving as vehicular manslaughter. As Attorney General Anil Nandlall rightly stated during the debate and subsequent passage of the Bill, “Our citizens must be able to traverse our roadways with a sense of security and psychological peace of mind that some erratic, drunken driver is not using his vehicle as a lethal weapon along the roadways of this country. We must have that sense of security.”
I commend Commander Siwnarine for his efforts in addressing these issues, but it is clear that he cannot do it alone. It is essential that all his ranks fall in line and support this mission to curb the madness on our roadways. Consistent and fair enforcement of traffic laws is crucial to ensure safer roads and peace of mind for all citizens.
I urge the police in West Demerara to take immediate action to rectify this situation and restore order and safety to our roads.
Sincerely,
Kevin Mohamed
