Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, has addressed concerns regarding the Government’s newly announced motor-vehicle tint policy during his weekly Issues in the News program on Tuesday night. Nandlall emphasized that the measure is part of a comprehensive reform of traffic laws aimed at enhancing safety and reducing accidents on the nation’s roadways.
Nandlall pointed to the Government’s ongoing monitoring of an alarming increase in fatal road accidents, reckless driving behaviors, and the misuse of public roads, stating that these trends have raised significant concerns within the administration.
He highlighted the recently introduced e-ticketing system as a pivotal advancement, focusing on speeding and the non-wearing of seatbelts—two major causes of serious road accidents. “The President himself has spoken about how successful this measure has been,” Nandlall noted. “When the statistics are properly analysed, one will see a reduction in traffic accidents generally because of this approach.”
The Attorney General confirmed that other reforms are already in development, including:
- A review of regulations governing motor-vehicle and driver licenses, particularly for heavy-duty and specialized vehicles.
- An expansion of the list of ticketable offenses under the e-ticketing system.
- Harsher penalties for speeding and other dangerous road offenses.
Addressing the tint policy specifically, Nandlall clarified that the initiative aims to establish consistency, equity, and scientific uniformity in the regulation of tints. Under the new policy, all vehicles will be required to adhere to a standard light penetration level of 35%, consistent with factory tints used by manufacturers worldwide.
“There is a scientific way of measuring the lightness or darkness of tint,” Nandlall explained. “Manufacturers use 35% when they produce vehicles. That will remain and apply to all vehicles.”
Additionally, a structured waiver system will be implemented for specific categories of users, such as high-security vehicles, diplomats, certain government officials, and any individuals granted waivers by the Minister under clearly defined regulations. “These categories will qualify for a darker level of tint,” he stated.
Nandlall dismissed claims that the new tint policy lacks clarity, arguing that any confusion stems from misunderstandings or political noise. “You may disagree with the measure, but that is different from saying it is unclear,” he asserted. “The measure is not unclear. That distinction must be drawn.”
The tint policy is expected to be rolled out in conjunction with the Government’s broader overhaul of road-traffic laws, as Guyana works to mitigate accidents and foster a safer transport environment.
