The Guyana Police Force is again warning the public that driving under the influence of drugs carries the same serious legal consequences as drunk driving.
Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh said such offences are not being treated lightly.
Penalties Under the Law
Under the law, a person found driving or attempting to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs faces, on summary conviction:
a fine of not less than $30,000 and not more than $60,000, or
imprisonment of up to 12 months.
For repeat offenders, the penalties increase to:
a fine of not less than $40,000 and up to $80,000, along with
possible imprisonment.
Alcohol vs. Drugs: Detection Challenges
The Traffic Chief explained that while breathalyzer tests are commonly used to detect alcohol, detecting drugs—such as marijuana, which can affect mood, thoughts, and perception—can be more difficult.
In some cases, suspects may be asked to consent to blood testing to determine whether drugs are present in their system.
Enforcement Relies on Observation and Public Reports
Singh said enforcement also depends heavily on:
police observation, and
reports from the public.
Officers look at driving behaviour and patterns to identify possible impaired driving, inexperience, or distraction. Once a driver is stopped, officers also examine physical indicators and other evidence before proceeding further.
Few Local Cases, But Police Remain Alert
While Singh said he had not been seeing many such cases locally, he acknowledged that enforcement must continue as new trends emerge.
He stressed that police must ensure the law prevails and that unsafe driving is not acceptable.
No Difference in Law Between Alcohol and Drugs
The Traffic Chief concluded by reminding the public that the law does not distinguish between alcohol and drugs when it comes to impaired driving.
