‘Respect the Road’

Jul 25, 2023 News

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– Police launch aggressive road safety campaign to curb lawlessness

Kaieteur News – In an effort to curb the lawlessness that has been occurring on the roadways, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in collaboration with others on Monday launched the ‘Respect the Road’ campaign under the theme “Slow Down. Drive Cautiously.”

The police force has partnered with the National Road Safety Council, Impressions Inc. as well as other stakeholders to launch the traffic campaign. The road safety campaign, which launched at the Police Officers’ Mess Annex, Eve Leary, Georgetown comprises of several components such as: educating children and others, about the safe use of the road. This will be done via billboards, signs, bumper stickers, and other media.

Also, streets and roadways will be saturated with reminders to be vigilant, cautious, and respectful on the roads.

During his address, Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, said that by working together, safer roads can be created for all. According to Hicken the police have collaborated with optimum agencies like Digicel and GT&T to have an E-ticketing system on the four-lane highways.

He shared that while the initiative is a work in progress, he noted that soon, “You will have SMS (message) telling you when you’re speeding and the E-ticketing system will work.”

Hicken said too, “I believe that together, as a nation, we can make a difference and create safer roads for all users. But before we can make a difference, we must understand the gravity of the situation as road accidents remain a significant global public health issue, leading to millions of deaths and injuries each year.”

Commissioner Hicken highlighted that “speeding, driving under the influence, poor driver behaviour, distracted driving, and inadequate road infrastructure are just a few factors contributing to these tragedies.”

This, he noted, can have significant negative consequences, such as physical, emotional, financial, and social impacts on those involved in road accidents. Commissioner Hicken underscored the need for collaboration to improve road safety.

The police chief suggested that by following international best practices, Guyana roadways can become safer. He suggested that having Safe Road Designs by separating vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists from motorized traffic.  To this he said, “Because doing so reduces the risk of crashes, injuries, and fatalities among vulnerable road users.”

Hicken added, “Next, we must implement effective Speed Management and Traffic Calming measures such as speed bumps, which can help to reduce vehicle speed, thus reducing the risk of injury if an accident does occur.”

Moreover, Hicken underscored, “We must continue to enforce Traffic Laws through an innovative and contemporary approach. This approach would involve educating the public on the importance of following traffic laws through public awareness campaigns and utilising technology such as speed cameras to enforce them. Commissioner Hicken said this would help reduce the risk of injury due to accidents caused by motorists speeding or breaking other traffic laws.”

In closing, Commissioner Hicken emphasized the continued need for collaboration across all sectors. “We must adopt a multi-sectoral collaboration to have a coordinated approach to maximize the impact of road safety efforts,” he posited.

For his part, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, welcomed the initiative while thanking the private stakeholders supporting the campaign. “I want to particularly welcome this initiative here today…and I want to thank the private sector for partnering with us and all others who would have supported this activity,” he posited.

Minister Benn alluded to the lawlessness on the roadways, particularly as it relates to parking and obstruction of traffic in Georgetown. “I want 300 clamps so that people who are blocking the roads and the lanes in Georgetown should be clamped; we want them clamped and towed,” Minster Benn stated.

He went on to further address the enforcement and issue of speeding, drinking, and driving while highlighting that more emphasis should be placed on dealing with these particular problems regardless of frivolous complaints. As an example, Minister Benn cited former Commander of Region Three, Assistant Commissioner Errol Watts, who led a strict campaign against these offences.

“I remember Commander Watts on the West Coast and West Bank of Demerara, being very strong about speeding and drinking [and driving] on the road, to the point where people were complaining about Watts breathalyzing them and putting speed guns on them,” Benn stated.

Notably in attendance were National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia, Deputy Commissioner ‘Admin’ (ag.), Calvin Brutus,Deputy Commissioner, Operations (ag.), Ravindradat Budhram, Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, Head of Special Branch, Errol Watts, Regional and Branch Commanders along with members from the National Road Safety Council, Earle Lambert (Chairman) and Ramona Doorgen (Secretary). Chief Fire Officer (ag.) Mr Gregory Wickham, and Chief Prison Officer (ag.) Nicklon Elliot, as well as Executives from Impressions, Ms Reanna Nickram (Marketing Executive), and Ms. Debbie Persaud (Marketing Manager), were also present.

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• Calvin Brutus, Captain Gerry Gouveia, Deputy Commissioner 'Admin' (ag.), National Security Advisor, Wendell Blanhum

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