Driving under the influence cases have tripled

Driving under the influence cases have tripled – Ramjattan

Feb 10, 2017 News

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, announced, yesterday, that based on information provided to him by the Traffic Chief, Dion Moore, cases made out of driving under the influence of alcohol have tripled already in 2017.

Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan

He made this revelation at the launch of the Household Survey 2016 at the Cara Lodge Hotel in the Capital City yesterday. “There were 89 in early 2016. It is now 228 in early 2017,” the Minister said.
The Minister said that the statistics are worrying and immediate intervention is needed from all stakeholders to curb this issue.
He pointed out, also, that the major survey of drug use among secondary school students – which was launched in 2015 – shows worrying statistics in relation to alcohol abuse.
“Behind these statistics, too, we will come to know what we have become, and what we can do about it,”
Ramjattan reported that alcohol binge drinking amongst current users is as high as in males (64.2 percent) than as in females (46.3 percent).
“My intention here is not to create a moral panic, but in all honesty…these statistics paint a picture which shames us all. It is an outrage! And we must do something about it,” Ramjattan said.
The Minister said that the Government of Guyana will embark on a series of initiatives that will aim to curb alcohol abuse and these include: regular sensitisation on the harmful effects of alcohol abuse; continued training of persons who have shown an interest in the field of treatment and prevention and the establishment of more treatment and rehab centres across the country; the creation of more recreational centres and spaces for individuals appropriate to the various stages in the life-cycle; expansion in job training and economic insertion activities; and media campaigns.
“All of these and much more we have to do. But we must never be daunted by the task at hand. To enjoy this country in a couple of years, mean we must put in the efforts now,” Ramjattan said.
For the year 2016, a total of 42,349 drivers were charged for the following traffic violations: 23,934 for speeding; 3,379 for driving under the influence of alcohol; 1,701 for driving while not being licensed; 1,603 for driving while using cellular phones; and 4,607 for driving with loud music.
According to previous reports, there were also 116 fatal accidents with 127 deaths in 2016 compared to 105 fatal accidents with 123 deaths in 2015.