More than 81 lives lost in road accidents in Guyana this year

More than 81 people have died in road accidents across Guyana so far this year, Police said on Wednesday, warning that reckless driving continues to claim preventable lives.

Traffic Chief Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Singh told the News Room that the Guyana Police Force has recorded 81 fatal accidents to date.

“All of these accidents are preventable,” Singh said.

Police data show a total of 1,049 accidents of all categories — fatal, minor and damage — compared with 1,076 during the same period in 2024.

While speeding remains the leading cause of crashes, Singh said inattentiveness has surged by nearly 600 percent compared with last year. He urged drivers to practise defensive driving and show greater courtesy to vulnerable road users.

“Self-awareness must be part of road use. It’s not just about what the Police are doing but about how the public conducts itself on the roads,” Singh said.

With more than 400,000 vehicles on the country’s roadways, Singh warned that unless attitudes change, high accident and fatality rates will persist. “Everyone wants to get ahead at the expense of another,” he said, calling on motorists to slow down and share responsibility on the roads.