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Road fatalities increase by 32%
– speeding remains main factor
The Guyana Police Force has recorded a 32 percent increase in road fatalities for the year so far when compared to the corresponding period last year.
Acting Traffic Chief, Boodnarine Persaud
Fifty four road fatalities from 50 accidents have been recorded from January to May 19, last, in comparison to 41 fatalities from 32 accidents for the same period in 2015.
Pedestrians are cited as the main road users affected with 16 such persons having lost their lives.
In addition, 12 motorcyclists, four pillion riders, seven pedal cyclists, nine drivers and six persons traveling in buses and lorries also lost their lives.
The acting Traffic Chief, Boodnarine Persaud, said that the Force is concerned with the loss of lives, serious injuries and economic and social impact resulting from road accidents for which the major contributory factors have been speeding, drunk driving and inconsiderate use of the roads.
Persaud said that emphasis is being placed on educational programmes for everyone, including drivers.
“We are intensifying our educational programme through the media and television programmes. We lecture at many seminars and schools,” the acting Traffic Chief emphasized.
He revealed that in Berbice, a call in programme was established so that concerned persons can call and voice their concerns—This has been very helpful with the traffic situation in that division.
Plans are in the pipeline to establish a similar programme in the city too.
Persaud proposed that the Ministry of Education should include road safety in the schools’ curriculum.
“If we are looking at saving lives in our country, we need to include road safety in our school curriculum. If we do this, then we will have a community that is more ‘road-wise’. Those same children will grow up to be drivers and riders,” Persaud said.
He pointed out that if road safety is being taught to a child in Form One then when he or she finishes school, that person will have a better understanding of the roads and the laws governing them.
“We get an opportunity to talk to them (school children) once a month, or every two months but it should be in the timetable even if the police have to go there,” he stated.
He added, “All road users have to use one road—Trucks, cars, pedal cycles, pedestrians and even animals are on the same road and majority of them (roads) are not one way so there is not much room for mistakes.”
Kaieteur News was told that recruits are being passed out very often and they play a significant role in assisting in monitoring the traffic.
Additionally, Persaud said that those who are caught breaching traffic light control signals will face the brunt of law enforcement as will persons caught using cellular phone while driving.
These measures are further being enforced in response to mounting concerns about the apparent growing number of accidents and fatalities.
Two Fridays ago, four persons lost their lives in a two-vehicle smash up in Richmond Village, Essequibo.
Drunk driving and speeding were cited as the main reason for the accident.
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