Latest update June 1st, 2026 12:37 AM
SHOCK AND AWE IS NEEDED TO BRING SANITY TO THE ROADS
I believe we are moving too slow in relation to traffic reforms. Despite the fact that legislation has been passed in respect to the use of cell phones and the banning of music on public transport vehicles, despite the admirable steps taken to bring some sanity to the bus parks, there still remains a great deal more to be done.
I support the ban on cell phones and music. I have seen drivers get extremely hyped at the sound of loud music.
This loud music acts as an intoxicant for some of them who are driven to do daring things at the wheel when hyped up by loud music. I also support the ban on cell phones. I believe that this ban was long overdue in Guyana.
However, if we continue to drag out the reforms, it will not create the sort of effect that is absolutely necessary if the road culture in Guyana is to change dramatically for the better.
Such change can only come about if future reforms are implemented hastily and in a comprehensive manner. What is needed is a shock treatment.
Dragging out the reforms will not have the likely effect. The time span, for example, between the installation of traffic lights and the other steps that are being taken were too spaced out.
The time span between these latest reforms which deal with drinking and driving and the use of cellular phones and future reforms must be shortened to the bare minimum.
I would like to suggest how this can be done. The next step should be the implementation of bus stops in Guyana. The laws in this respect are already on our books. What are missing are the designated bus stops.
I would urge that since the army is now fully engaged in security matters, that they see the need to reduce traffic deaths and injuries as a security issue also.
The Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces should ask his Chief of Staff to go around the city and to identify on the various bus routes, points for bus stops.
This should then be plotted on a map/chart. The same exercise should take place along routes serviced by public transport operators.
Given the staff available within the army, this should not take more than one month. The identified stops should then be publicized and the public, including transport operators, should be given an opportunity to offer their comments and suggestions. This should not take more than two weeks.
Thus within the next two months, Guyana should be in a position to implement a system of bus stops. We do not need to go to any foreign funding agency. This is not going to be a costly venture.
Each bus sign should not cost more than $1000 and I do not expect that there will be more than 500 such stops, so the total cost involved will be about half a million Guyana dollars.
Having identified the bus stops, the Road Safety Council should then be asked to provide road markings indicating where public transport vehicles will be required to stop. Any driver of such vehicles not stopping at a designated stop should be liable to a penalty.
Simultaneous with this development should be a system for the creation of a central bus terminal where all minibuses will be required to move off from.
This of course will cost a great deal of money but it will bring order to our chaotic transportation system.
The money for this Central Terminus in the city should come from instituting a flat income tax on all buses. All minibuses for example should be required to pay a flat tax similar to what was proposed for professionals a few years ago.
This will reduce tax avoidance in the highly profitable public transportation sector. While all of this is taking place, there is now a need to reconfigure the streets of the city.
It is now clear from the increased number of vehicles on our roadways that most of the streets of the capital are too narrow for two-way traffic.
Some streets have already been designated as one-way streets. This exercise needs to be undertaken for all streets in the city as a start.
If all of these proposed changes take place immediately, it will create the sort of shock and awe that is needed to bring sanity to our roadways. So let us not waste time.
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