Assistant Superintendent of Police Sherwin Henry issued a warning to motorists across Guyana on Wednesday, reminding them that driving unregistered vehicles is a direct breach of the law and carries both financial penalties and possible imprisonment.
Speaking on a recent Traffic Watch broadcast aired on another section of the media, Henry, who is stationed at Traffic Headquarters, pointed to Section 11 of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, which prohibits the use of any unregistered vehicle on public roadways.
According to him, it is the responsibility of vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles are properly registered before being driven, and liability extends to anyone who permits the unlawful use of such vehicles.
“No vehicle is to be driven on the road while it’s not registered. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that his vehicle or her vehicle is registered, and anyone who permits anyone to drive or is the owner of that said vehicle who fails to comply with the act shall be liable to a conviction of an offence of $150,000 or three months in prison,” Henry stated.
He further stressed that all vehicles must display the required registration plates, noting that failure to comply will result in prosecution.
“You, the drivers, have the responsibility to ensure that the vehicle is carrying the relevant authority and has the same registered… Failing to do so… you will be charged and placed before the court, and you’re liable to a fine of $150,000 or three months in prison,” he added.
Police have been ramping up public awareness on traffic violations as part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and ensure compliance with motor vehicle laws.
Over the past few years, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) noted that it has observed with concern the increase in the number of unregistered motor vehicles traversing the public roadways. It has reminded importers, investors, and owners of unregistered vehicles of the terms and conditions of the release of these vehicles from the city wharves, which restrict their use until after registration.
Persons have 14 days to take corrective actions and engage the customs, excise, and trade operations and licence revenue office to have those motor vehicles duly entered and registered.
Failure to comply will result in the GRA and the Police collaborating to have such vehicles detained.
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