Georgetown: Close to 99 percent of over 3100 traffic violators are facing prosecution by the Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Department after violations were caught on CCTV cameras. This is according to Minister of Public Security and Third Vice-President Khemraj Ramjattan.
Addressing the launch of road safety month at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre at Liliendaal Wednesday, Minister Ramjattan assured that the ministry has been doing its best to ensure there is a reduction of these violations.
In this light, he revealed that the Ministry early this year, commenced a new development, whereby the CCTV cameras around the City are being used to catch those committing traffic crimes.
According to Minister Ramjattan, to date, these cameras have captured over 3100 offences. He said that almost 99 percent of these violators have pleaded guilty and are in the courts. “They are pleading guilty because they cannot get away from the fact that it is them on the cameras,” he said.
Road fatalities however, remain high, the Minister noted, pointing out that this is because the CCTVs are just in some streets in Georgetown. He noted however that in light of this, the ministry, as part of its longer term effort, will be putting in place, CCTV cameras in all the city streets.
Road safety is everyone’s responsibility
During his short speech, the Minister also lauded the effort of the National Road Safety Council for pushing the agenda of road safety in Guyana. He however noted that whilst the NRSC will do its parts with support from central government, road safety is everyone’s responsibility. He pointed out that to a large extent the damage and the destruction that are caused by road accidents are as a result of that deficiency in individual responsibility.
“We are the sole cause of the road accidents around us and we have to be the cure of that disease,” he said.
He noted that this responsibility has to be cultivated from a young age, and that the Ministry of Education has a prime role to play in this regard.
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