Heavy-duty trucks have been implicated in nearly 40% of road fatalities over the past five years, prompting authorities to consider mandatory speed governors for these vehicles.
Earl Lambert, Chairman of the Guyana National Road Safety Council, highlighted alarming statistics during a recent episode of ‘Road Safety and You.’ From 2019 to 2024, trucks accounted for 38 to 40% of fatal crashes, surpassing all other vehicle categories. In 2023, there were 30 truck accidents, followed by 25 in 2024, many involving severe collisions due to excessive speeding on major highways.
Lambert stressed the urgency of addressing this road safety crisis, citing a strong link between speeding, poor road conditions, and fatal outcomes.
The government is pushing for an Auto Control Speed Management System, which would introduce tamper-resistant speed governors to regulate truck speeds according to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act: 50 km/h in urban areas and 80–100 km/h on rural roads, depending on capacity.
This system will feature GPS monitoring, geo-fencing, and real-time alerts for tampering, allowing for continuous oversight of truck speed and movement.
Lambert described this technology-driven initiative as a vital step toward modernizing road governance and improving safety. With truck-related crashes being a leading cause of road fatalities, the introduction of speed governors is seen as a necessary measure to protect citizens.
