Don’t drink and drive

Aug 06, 2024 Editorial

Kaieteur News – Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn declared last week what many citizens knew before that most road accidents deaths are caused by young male drivers who visit bars and other places to indulge in alcohol consumption.

He highlighted that between 2021 and 2022 road deaths decreased to below 100 but last year’s statistics has now jumped to around 179. He noted that this has created a problem where Guyana is now internationally ranked at number 63, in terms of road deaths. The minister further disclosed that in 2020, 5,699 cars were registered, with more already being in operation on the roadways. By 2023, this number increased, averaging over 15,000 vehicles. The traversing of lorries, minibuses, and pick-ups along the roadways also saw a drastic increase. According to the Home Affairs Minister, more attention will be placed on traffic during the weekends, and in the evenings.

Minister Benn then said he plans to consult the Attorney General to increase traffic fines three times more than it is presently, to bring the situation under control. “We have to strengthen the amount of sanctions, strengthen the amount of public awareness effort, strengthen the meetings and visits that we make to people…Strengthen our public-private partnership,” the minister stated at a road safety forum last Friday.

It is time for the government to acknowledge that the country’s highways have become the death zones in Guyana and every effort must be made to reduce the senseless carnage on the roadways. The fact that only a handful of the thousands of drunk drivers are apprehended is a testimony to the failure of the police and the authorities.

People tend to think that pedestrians and bicyclists are the most vulnerable to the dangers of the road but the truth is drunk drivers and their passengers are more at risk of losing their lives in traffic accidents. Most drunk drivers are impaired and tend to drive recklessly. They are not afraid of the police. The government and the police must take drastic action to make the roads safer and reduce the high number of fatalities, especially among children and senior citizens.

Not only must the police and the government be blamed for the accidents and deaths on the roads, but also drivers, particularly those operating minibuses and passenger cars. Motor cyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians and alcohol must also be blamed. Drivers must not drink and drive; they must be alert and should be more sensitive to the presence of other road users. They must exercise caution at all times so as to make the roads safer.

While some feel a stricter regime of licensing is needed to reduce fatalities on the roads, others have demanded more traffic enforcement by the police and more severe penalties for drivers who violated the traffic laws. They also believe that there should be an apprentice period for new drivers in order for them to gain sufficient experience before allowed to drive alone, especially at nights and in rainy conditions. Passing a driver’s test and obtaining a license are not enough for drivers or motorcyclists to drive or ride by themselves as is currently the case.

Statistics have shown that most traffic accidents and deaths are caused by drunk drivers, speeding and by drivers who overtake other vehicles in high-risk areas such as intersections, entrances to shopping malls and in areas where there are solid double yellow lines.

Also, some motorcyclists do not wear their helmets and protective equipment properly. Drivers and motor cyclists must always assume that other drivers have not seen them or that they are in their blind spot. Unfortunately, some drivers are easily distracted and often forget that animals also use the roads. They must be aware that animals are considered kings in their own kingdoms and this applies to the roads that they use at will.

It is better to save a life than to take one, therefore it would be wise for drivers to respect the speed limits to ensure that their ability to control their vehicles are not compromised. Drivers should also adjust their driving to adapt to hazardous road conditions such as rains. Motor cycles should avoid the show-off spectacle and be considerate of others. Safety requires all users of the roads to remember the five “Cs” and to know what defensive driving is.

citizens, consumption, deaths, Guyana, traffic

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