New Radar Speed Signs to Enhance Road Safety Across Guyana

To create safer roads for all, the government of Guyana is taking a significant step towards modernizing road safety with the installation of radar speed signs along key roadways.

This move is part of a larger initiative aimed at using technology to enhance traffic safety and ensure better management of road systems across the country. During his 2024 end-of-year press conference, President Dr. Irfaan Ali revealed that new radar speed signs had been installed in various locations as part of the Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS) Project.

These signs are connected to advanced cloud infrastructure, which will allow the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) to monitor traffic speeds and patterns in real time.

The radar speed signs are designed to provide valuable data on how vehicles move along the roadways, helping authorities identify high-speed zones and areas where safety measures need to be intensified. President Ali explained that the data gathered will be crucial in crafting strategies to reduce speeding and improve overall road safety in Guyana.

“This is just one of the ways we are using technology to make our roads safer and smarter. By deploying these signs across the country, we’re ensuring that our roadways are constantly monitored, and traffic patterns are better understood. It’s all about keeping our people safe,” President Ali said.

Commitment to Safer, Smarter Roads

The radar speed signs are just one part of a larger vision for safer roads in Guyana. The government has also put in place a sub-committee led by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips. This committee is tasked with overseeing the implementation of key road safety measures, including the installation of traffic lights on new highways, creating pedestrian crossings, and ensuring traffic safety in school zones.

Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill announced during the same press conference, highlighting the government’s proactive approach to road safety. “We are ensuring that our roadways and the people who use them are secure. This sub-committee will be essential in addressing various safety concerns and ensuring the successful rollout of key safety measures,” Minister Edghill explained.

A Comprehensive Approach to Road Safety

President Ali emphasized that the installation of radar speed signs is part of a broader strategy to make Guyana’s roadways safer. This includes the deployment of state-of-the-art 24-hour surveillance cameras along major roads, which have already detected over 60,000 instances of speeding during their testing phase.

The President also spoke about expanding the traffic education programme to raise awareness about safe driving and the importance of following traffic laws. He stressed that enforcement would be strict, with no tolerance for unlawful behaviour, and highlighted the use of technology to support these efforts.

“Technology will play a major role in making our country smarter. We’re using intelligent traffic cameras, body cameras for law enforcement, and improving our road infrastructure to make driving safer,” President Ali said.

While technology will be an essential tool, the President emphasized that individual responsibility is just as important in ensuring road safety. “It’s not just about the technology and the systems we put in place. It’s about every one of us making responsible choices on the road. We all have a role to play in creating safer roadways,” President Ali noted.

Looking Ahead: A Smarter, Safer Guyana

The installation of radar speed signs and other technology-driven solutions is just the beginning of a broader plan to transform Guyana’s roads. The government’s ongoing efforts to modernize traffic management systems and improve road safety demonstrate a strong commitment to reducing accidents and making travel safer for everyone.

With advancements in surveillance, better traffic management, and a focus on education and enforcement, Guyana is taking important steps toward creating a safer, smarter transportation environment.

However, as President Ali pointed out, the success of these initiatives depends not only on the government’s actions but on the collective responsibility of all road users.“We are committed to making Guyana’s roads safer, but we need everyone’s cooperation. Let’s work together to make our roads safer for everyone,” the President concluded.