More than 2,000 motorists have already been taken before the courts for speeding offences since the government rolled out its Safe Road initiative in April last year, according to Traffic Chief, Mahendra Singh.
Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Singh revealed that one of the biggest offenders identified through the electronic ticketing system was an Inspector of Police, who accumulated 61 speeding tickets and is now facing prosecution.
The Traffic Chief also disclosed that another driver was flagged repeatedly for dangerous driving.
“There was one specific driver for the offence of dangerous driving flagged 13 times, 13 different occasions. He was charged…and placed before the Georgetown Magistrates Court for eight of those dangerous driving matters,” Singh said, noting that additional court appearances are expected.
Authorities have so far recorded more than 1,200 dangerous driving cases under the system.
According to Singh, the initiative has significantly strengthened traffic enforcement, with cases being heard weekly at both the Georgetown and Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts.
“The system is working; that system is a plus for us, it helps us to achieve smart traffic management,” he stated.
Since its introduction, more than 51,000 e-tickets have been issued countrywide, generating over $205 million in fines. Officials said just over half of those tickets have already been paid.
The technology-driven initiative was introduced as part of efforts to reduce road fatalities and improve driver compliance. Singh noted that safeguards were built into the system to prevent interference and bias in the issuing of tickets.
At present, the cameras and monitoring systems are active along several major roadways, including the Heroes Highway, Mandela-to-Eccles corridor, sections of the East Coast Public Road and parts of Region Three.
Authorities say the programme has already contributed to reductions in serious and fatal accidents along those corridors.
