Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, is warning police officers that they have no legal authority to detain motorists, seize vehicles, or withhold personal documents when dealing with traffic offences that fall under the ticketing system.
During his weekly Issues in the News broadcast on Tuesday, Minister Nandlall explained that amendments to Guyana’s traffic laws created a category of ticketable offences to ensure drivers are dealt with through the proper legal process.
“The whole purpose of creating those ticketed offences was to permit the police to issue tickets to persons if the police believe that that person has committed an offence,” the AG said.
Moreover, he stressed that officers cannot use traffic violations as a basis to hold drivers for extended periods, seize their property, or retain important documents such as licences and insurance.
The AG also noted that where a ticketable offence is suspected, the police’s responsibility is to issue the ticket, after which the motorist can either accept the offence and pay the fine or challenge the matter in court.
Minister Nandlall noted that there are approximately 37 ticketable offences under the road traffic laws. These offences include driving without a licence, exceeding the speed limit, failing to wear a seatbelt, operating an uncertified vehicle, and failing to stop when required by a uniformed police officer.
The AG warned that officers who ignore the legal process and unlawfully detain motorists or their property could face legal consequences.
He said the issue has generated significant public discussion, with citizens raising concerns about the handling of traffic stops, reiterating that police ranks must operate within the boundaries of the law.