117 persons died in road accidents- Traffic Chief

For the year so far, there were 104 fatal accidents which resulted in 117 deaths, Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh said at the weekend.

The figures represent a decrease when compared to the same period last year; in 2023, there were 156 deaths.

“Road deaths are one of the leading causes of deaths in Guyana.

“We are at 117 now. So we are more than 2 or 3 persons a week dying on our roads,” Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh said at the weekend.

He was at the time addressing those who participated in a road safety motorcade held in observance of the United Nations World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic victims on Sunday.

The walk was held to honour those who lost their lives on the country’s roadways.

Singh acknowledged that much more needs to be done to decrease the carnage on the roadways.

“Exactly what was required was done. More could be done, better could be had,” Singh said.

November is Road Safety Awareness month. This year’s theme is “Do the right thing”.

According to Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, a majority of the victims are between the age of 18 and 35.

“The loss of these young people is a particularly grievous one and one which we have to work hard to reduce the numbers.

“The statistics speak for themselves,” Benn said.

Among the victims, he added, are 44 men.

“Others where persons run into them, others who did not care to take of the pillion rider and particularly the other disturbing statistics that we have the greater proportion of persons dying are the younger persons between 18 and 35,” Benn explained.

To address this and reduce the road carnage, Benn said the “Do the right thing” campaign will be spread out to raise awareness countrywide.

This will see sessions being held in schools and in public, targeting drivers.