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THE CARNAGE ON THE ROADS
Carnage on the roads in Guyana has reached crisis proportions and it seems that there is no end in sight. Almost every day, someone is killed or maimed in a traffic accident. If this trend continues, there is no telling what will happen.
Road fatalities continue to devastate the country and its people. It has become a major problem and is wreaking havoc on the lives of those who have to cope with the pain and the loss of loved ones. In recent times, mostly youths have been the victims, struck down in some cases by inexperienced drivers and in others, by drunk and speeding drivers.
Last weekend was no exception as two persons, including a popular Disc Jockey, lost their lives. Keeping road fatalities below record levels in 2016 might be a pipe dream despite the awareness campaigns about road safety.
To be fair, the authorities are doing everything possible to reduce accidents and fatalities on the roads. But sadly, motorists continue to use the thoroughfares improperly. Some have refused to wear seat belts or helmets; others talk on their phones or run red lights and ignore stop signs. Pedestrians, too, have often acted recklessly in using the roads, to their ultimate detriment. These are serious issues that must be addressed urgently because the devastation that road fatalities have visited on the nation is too much for the people to bear
Traffic accidents and deaths can logically be reduced if drivers, cyclists and pedestrians focus on the rule of road safety. They should understand that the police do not have the resources to be everywhere to charge every drunk, reckless or even clueless driver. However, stricter traffic safety measures and penalties should be implemented and enforced by the authority to save lives and prevent accidents.
Possibly a system such as road blocks being placed intermittently along the highways, not for the purpose of searching or harassing anyone, but to prevent or discourage speeding and driving while intoxicated. It would send a powerful message to errant motorists that they would be arrested and prosecuted if they flout the law. However, the challenge is for the government is to find the resources needed to implement these measures.
It seems that the political will is within the current administration to make the tough decisions to end the tragedies on the roads, but enforcement and resources remain the problem. What is needed is less talking and more action, including adequate funding and equipment for the police, to keep fatalities at a minimum. In addition, a continuous publicity campaign is needed to inform all road users, especially youths, of the dangers of recklessness and to remind all road users to observe the five Cs—Care, Commonsense, Consideration, Courtesy, and Caution.
Legislation to punish errant drivers and mandating the use of safety devices is already in place, but stiffer penalties are needed to make sure that they are obeyed by all. Also more efforts must be made to enforce the safety rules. If they are not obeyed and implemented, the roads will continue to be the country’s death chamber.
What is happening is not acceptable and cannot be allowed to continue? Road fatalities have become an epidemic in the country and no one can sit idly by. Plans must be developed to deal with what is arguably one of the most unsettling problems facing the nation.
The carnage on the roads is disconcerting. Meaningful intervention is urgently needed to make the roads safer, end the fatalities and the pain and suffering of the people.
It is not beyond us. Our society is a small one and should be manageable.
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Are the courts in Gy not allowed to suspend a driver’s licence after he has committed murder on the roads?
I’ve never read of this ever happening. As a regular visitor, from what I’ve seen and heard, they leave the court, drive to their nearest rum shop, fill up, then drive home.
Another apparent anomaly is there is never any mention of injured victims claiming compensation, medical or otherwise, against that driver’s insurance.