For 2024, a total of 97 persons were killed on the country’s roadways after being involved in accidents, majority of the victims being pedestrians and motorcyclists.
The figures reflect a decrease in road accidents when compared to the same period last year which saw 140 persons losing their lives out of the 118 accidents recorded.
“We need to do much more now to curb the situation. We can’t allow this to continue.
“The situation is one which needs immediate response. We have to take stronger measures perhaps,” Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn said.
Speeding and driving are among the major causes of the fatal accidents while men between the ages of 18 and 30 are among most of the victims.
“These accidents though there is a reduction comparatively, it really speaks to, tolerance, patience, not planning ahead of your schedule…whether it’s daily or weekly and there is an issue of not wanting to use the safety equipment.
“Most of the fatal accidents that we have had over the last five to six days, a motorcyclists would have been involved.” Traffic Chief, Mahendra Singh said.
The time during which these accidents occur are mostly between Thursday evening and Tuesday evening.
Speaking at a press conference held at his Brickdam office on Friday, Benn said to curb the situation, the ministry will be working along with the Guyana Police Force with the intention of implementing new measures and stricter penalties.
This, he said, includes changes to the legislation to impose a heftier fines for traffic offences, stronger measures such as clamping of cars and using volunteers to assist the Police.
“We note that there has been a greater increase of vehicles on our roads, we know that there are more miles travelled…while infrastructure has to catch up, there is a great pressure in use of the roads and there is still a great deal of indiscriminate behaviours in road traffic…particularly among those who are operators of vehicles,” Benn explained.
In addition, he added that the Ministry of Home Affairs will be initiating a series of initiative under a campaign the ‘do the right thing’ campaign.
The campaign, according to Benn is intended to instill due consideration of the safest and secure resorts in practices and behaviours which should result in safe communities and country by enhancing safety and security.
“Doing the right thing is a responsibility of every Guyanese and of every persons in our territory and does of course extend to persons required all types of public services respect and care,” Benn said.
Campaign will be rolled out with initial emphasis on the approaching National Road Safety Month 2024 in November. The plan is for it to eventually focus beyond road safety and delve into other issues of concern related to safety and security.
To be in accordance with United Nations Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, Benn said Guyana needs to recorded 50 deaths or less annually.
