Dear Editor,
I write to express growing concern over a road safety issue that many motorists and pedestrians in Guyana face daily, yet appears to be largely ignored.
There is an increasing and dangerous trend of motorists replacing their factory-installed fog lamps with extra-bright, high-intensity bulbs and then driving using these fog lamps instead of proper headlamps. These modified fog lamps are not designed to be used as primary driving lights. They are often improperly installed, poorly aimed, and excessively bright, resulting in oncoming drivers being temporarily blinded, particularly at night and during rainfall. This misuse of fog lamps creates a serious hazard and significantly increases the risk of traffic accidents.
Equally troubling is the daily presence of electric bikes (E-bikes) operating on public roads without any lights whatsoever, especially during early mornings, evenings, and nighttime hours. These E-bikes are frequently observed passing police patrols without being stopped, warned, or penalised. Without proper lighting, they are nearly invisible to other road users and pose a severe risk to both riders and motorists.
This raises an important and necessary question: what is happening with the enforcement of our traffic laws in Guyana? Rules governing vehicle lighting, roadworthiness, and safety clearly exist, yet enforcement appears inconsistent or absent. When obvious violations are ignored, it erodes respect for the law and places all road users in danger.
Road safety should never be optional. It requires clear standards, public education, and consistent enforcement. I urge the relevant authorities to act urgently—by enforcing existing laws on vehicle lighting, addressing the misuse of fog lamps, clarifying regulations governing E-bikes, and ensuring accountability before preventable tragedies occur.
This issue affects drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and families alike. Continued inaction will only lead to loss of life.