Police Force Traffic Department will be enhanced with 25 wheel clamps- enforcement starts today

   Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn today handed over 25 wheel clamps, along with chains and padlocks to the Guyana Police Force, at Ministry of Public Works and Communication, Kingston , in an effort to reduce congestion as a result of illegal parking or failure to conform to road signs. The device consists of a clamp which surrounds a vehicle’s wheel, designed to prevent removal of both itself and the wheel. Of the 25 clamps, 22 for motor cars and the remainder for heavy-duty trucks. The equipment was procured at a cost of over $1M by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, under the Transport Infrastructural Rehabilitation Programme, funded by Government and Inter-American Development Bank. Minister Benn stated that the equipment will ensure a safer response to drivers and also add to enforcement. Senior Superintendent and Traffic Chief, Neil Semple, who received the equipment on behalf of the Police Force, thanked the Minister for the devices. Traffic Safety Engineer, Nigel Erskine said that the clamps will assist the GPF in its traffic enforcement. He emphasised that traffic safety engineering is very important, however, enforcement plays a major part in the reduction of accidents, both globally and locally. Erskine noted that the rate of fatal accidents has reduced over the years as a result of interventions made by the GPF and that there is still room for improvement. He urged citizens to participate by speaking out when they notice illegal activities on the roads and this will complement the work of the Force. However with effect from this evening the Guyana Police Force will be employing the use of wheel clamps as part of its enforcement against motor vehicles that are badly parked, left in dangerous positions or fail to conform to road signs. In cases where the owners/drivers cannot be located, the vehicles will be towed away to the nearest Police Station where contact can be made with the police. Motorists are advised that they will have a difficulty in removing their vehicles if the police are not there to remove the wheel clamps.