The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is stepping up enforcement against unsafe vehicle lighting and other traffic violations, with authorities signalling action against vehicle owners, importers, sellers and certifying officers. In a social media post on Monday, the GPF said a “White Light Exercise” was conducted on Saturday along the Leonora Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD), Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) as part of its ongoing efforts to improve road safety and ensure compliance with traffic laws. The exercise was led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Roberts, together with other ranks from Regional Division Three. Police conducted checks on motor vehicles and drivers and detected 29 offences.

These included 23 breaches of conditions of prescribed fitness, five cases involving obscured identification marks and one uncertified motor vehicle. The certificates of fitness for 23 vehicles were revoked, with the affected drivers given later dates for re-examination. The exercise comes as the Police Traffic Department prepares for a more extensive crackdown on vehicle lights that do not comply with established requirements. According to a report published by News Room on Monday, Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh said the department intends to take unsafe lights off the streets and will target not only vehicle owners but also importers, sellers and certifying officers. Singh said authorities are moving to address the availability and use of lights capable of producing multiple colours, including LED lights that are being installed on vehicles.

He said the issue will be addressed countrywide, stressing that such products should not be readily available for motorists to purchase and install. The Traffic Chief also said action will be taken against LED lights that replace the required yellow-coloured lights on vehicles. The enforcement effort will also cover the vehicle certification process. Singh said certifying officers were briefed last Thursday and are expected to properly examine vehicles before issuing certificates of fitness. He said officers would not be allowed to rely on claims that non-compliant lights were installed after certification. Singh, according to the News Room report, disclosed that one certifying officer has already been served with a disciplinary notice over a direct order, indicating that the department intends to hold officers accountable for breaches. The Traffic Department is also expected to meet with importers and sellers, with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expected to participate in the discussions. Singh said businesses must be properly registered, imported products must be cleared through the appropriate channels and items being sold must meet the required standards. He warned that enforcement could result in businesses being shut down, operators being charged and non-compliant items being seized.