In recent months, there has been an increase in road accidents resulting in deaths, the majority of which were recorded on the roadways of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
This revelation was made by Police Commander of Region Three, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mahendra Siwnarine who said for the year so far, a total of 27 fatal accidents were recorded in the region.
And, there has been a 237 per cent increase in fatalities, Siwnarine said.
“Currently Region Three is leading in terms of fatal accidents which is quite unfortunate. We would have had decrease in all the other categories (accidents) that is serious, minor and damage but because of that great increase in the fatalities we are currently operating at a positive .5 percent in terms of all categories of accident,” Siwnarine said.
He added, “In fact, Region Three is leading in terms of the most DUI (driving under the influence) cases so far”.
Siwnarine made this disclosure when he appeared on the Guyana Police Force ‘Police and You’ radio programme on Thursday.
Statistics released by the Force earlier this month noted that from January 1 to October 8, 2023, there were 138 fatalities from 116 accidents.
There were also 33 deaths resulting from 32 incidents on the roadways. So altogether, 171 people died on the roadways.
According to Siwnarine, speeding, drunk driving and inattentiveness are among the major causes of these accidents.
“Indeed most of our accidents so far in Region Three has been because of inattentiveness especially the fatal accidents. When we do, do the analysis on those accidents, we have persons not paying attention on the roadway, hence those accidents are caused,” Siwnarine said.
He added, “speeding continues to be an issue. Have had an increase in the necessary equipment to deal with speeding as well as drinking and driving.”
The region has since ramped up breathalyser operations and ranks have zoomed in on bars.
And to aid in this, Siwnarine is encouraging bar owners to exercise caution when selling customers, especially those who are drivers.
“We are urging the bar owners to avoid selling to persons that in your observation would have met that limit and in your view is no longer capable of maneuvering on the roadways,” he pleaded.
