Bicycle lanes to be implemented to reduce road deaths – Minister Edghill

Oct 09, 2020 News

Kaieteur News – Minister of Public Works, Hon. Juan Edghill, said that the government will be allocating funds in the 2021 budget to construct bicycle lanes in order to reduce road deaths among pedal cyclists and pedestrians.

Minister of Public Works, Hon. Juan Edghill

This was revealed on Wednesday during a television programme, “Road Safety & You” in commemoration of Road Safety Month. The observation is usually in November but due to the increase in road fatalities this year when compared to same period in 2019, the launching of Road Safety Month 2020 was brought forward. The launch was hosted by the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
According to information from the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department, for the period January 1, 2020, to October 6, 2020, Guyana recorded a 51% increase in deaths from 37% increase in road accidents, with 103 accidents resulting in the death of 112 persons. During the programme, Minister Edghill stated that as a result of the increase in road deaths, the government has begun to step up its road safety efforts. The Minister further explained that there has been a 17% increase in pedestrian deaths in 2020, when compared to the same period in 2019.
He added, “In the 2021 Budget, we will be allocating funds to allocate bicycle lanes where the space is available, highway lighting, improving the geometry of the critical sections of our roads, in addition (to) traffic signs, traffic signals, and the construction of pedestrian overpasses and walkways.”
According to Minister Edghill, there are certain areas that need to be addressed; the use of alcohol while driving, speeding, overworked drivers, carelessness, use of cellular phones while driving, playing while driving, lane driving, selling and buying at the road corner, and texting while driving.
“When it comes to road safety, it must not only be the harm it will do to others, we have to start getting the message of what it will do that undisciplined road user,” the Minister stated.
According to the GPF traffic statistics, road fatalities are more prevalent with motorcyclists between ages 17-24, and the highest age range of persons involved in fatal accidents are between 25-42 years old. Most of these fatalities occurred mainly on Saturdays and Sundays between 18:00hrs and 00:00hrs, and are caused by speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol.
The GPF has called on drivers and motorists to desist from speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol on the roadways and to adhere to all road safety rules and guidelines, to help reduce the high number of road fatalities.

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