Guyana’s Smart Traffic System Issues 4,300 Speeding Tickets Since Launch

Guyana’s Smart Radar and Intelligent Surveillance (SRIS) system is steadily expanding, and authorities say it’s already making an impact. Since the programme launched on April 7, more than 4,300 electronic tickets have been issued to drivers caught speeding—with only 14 smart cameras currently in operation nationwide.

Speaking with Ignite News, Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh said the new system is part of a broader strategy to promote road safety, curb reckless driving, and save lives—not just penalise offenders.

According to Singh, the tickets were issued primarily for speeding violations. He explained that when the system was launched, just six cameras were operational, a number that has since more than doubled to 14. The SRIS cameras currently cover major corridors in Georgetown, East Bank, and East Coast Demerara, with expansion underway in other regions.

Authorities plan to eventually roll out the system across all ten administrative regions, with priority given to high-traffic areas.

To ensure accuracy and fairness in enforcement, each smart camera undergoes calibration every three months, as outlined in Guyana’s updated Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act. Singh explained that this process helps maintain legal compliance and data reliability. The National Data Management Authority (NDMA), along with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), is responsible for overseeing the infrastructure and conducting the required checks.

Singh also noted that while 14 cameras are currently active, others are still being installed. He emphasised that coverage will be expanded across all police divisions, with particular focus on areas where larger volumes of commuters travel daily.

Beyond the technology, Singh stressed that the key to safer roads lies in driver behaviour. He urged motorists to not only obey posted speed limits but to also adjust their driving based on road conditions, traffic density, and the presence of pedestrians and cyclists.

He said that while police are often blamed for road fatalities, in many cases the real causes are driver inattentiveness and speeding.

The numbers support that assessment. In just under three months, over 4,000 violations have been flagged by the SRIS system. Authorities hope that as more cameras come online and the system matures, it will drive long-term changes in public behaviour and significantly reduce accidents on Guyana’s roads.