More than 200 driver’s licences are expected to be suspended as authorities move to strictly enforce Guyana’s demerit point system against repeat traffic offenders.
Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh said in an interview with the News Room on Wednesday that the action is intended to compel drivers to take the e-ticketing system and traffic regulations more seriously.
Singh said that by the end of Wednesday, the process of forwarding information for legal review and formal action against offenders will begin. He stated that more than 200 persons will be identified and their cases processed for licence suspension through the licensing authority.
“The demerit point system has been in law since 2014,” Singh said, adding that the legal basis for suspension is already in place. He noted that a driver’s licence can be suspended once a person accumulates 10 or more demerit points, regardless of whether speeding or other traffic tickets are paid or contested in court.
He said the strict approach is necessary because authorities believe some drivers continue to disregard enforcement unless actions are carried out consistently. Singh added that licence suspensions have occurred previously, including for serious traffic violations captured under the Safe Road Intelligence System. He said at least 21 drivers are currently suspended for periods ranging from six to 12 months, including cases where offenders contested the matter and were found guilty.
While Singh said some pending suspensions involve repeat motorists who contested and were convicted, he indicated that many of the current pending cases mainly involve drivers who repeatedly paid speeding tickets without challenging them.
He explained that several offenders have accumulated high numbers of paid violations. “Some people have as much as 14 tickets paid some as much as 21 tickets,” Singh said, describing the current list as involving drivers with five or more tickets at this stage.
Singh said improved technology now allows the Guyana Police Force to track and consolidate offenders’ records more efficiently. Once the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is engaged, he said listed drivers will be formally notified of the offences, the legal provisions under the demerit point system, and the suspension period.
He also stated that drivers whose licences are suspended will be required to surrender their licences and later follow a reinstatement process once the suspension period ends.
