34 deaths recorded in Division 3 for 2023 – Traffic Officer

– tells road users, “See Police as friends, not enemy”

Assistant Superintendent Maniram Jagnandan, the Traffic Officer of Regional Division Three implored motorists to see the Police as their friends rather than their enemies.
He made this comment during a recent episode of “Traffic and You” during which he emphasised the importance of mutual respect between law enforcement officers and drivers, while underscoring that compliance and adherence to traffic regulations are key to fostering good relations.
Jagnandan stressed that once drivers obey the law – refraining from behaviours such as speeding and drinking under the influence – they automatically became friends with the Police.

However, the Traffic Officer revealed that there have been 27 fatal accidents resulting in 34 deaths in his Division so far for the year. These alarming numbers, he stated, were primarily caused by speeding drivers.
He nevertheless noted that while minibus drivers often bear the brunt of the reputation for recklessness on the roadways, nationwide data indicated private vehicles were more frequently responsible for fatal accidents.
He urged drivers to exercise caution and responsibility, reminding them that it was their personal duty to comply with all laws and regulations, showing due respect to them.
“Sometime in March, there was an accident with a minibus and a lorry in Greenwich Park Public Road where five passengers died… not because a minibus was involved, that means the driver was at fault…the driver of the lorry would have overtaken a long line of traffic and collided with the minibus,” he clarified.
“Persons have a perception that once it is a minibus involved, the drivers are at fault…private vehicles and goods vehicles, they are the ones that are involved in more fatal accidents country-wide. Since I am in this region, there has not been a time when a fatal accident would have occurred and the minibus was at fault.”
Jagnandan lamented the lack of respect for the laws of Guyana among some citizens, contrasting this behaviour with their compliance when in foreign countries. He stated that adherence to traffic laws not only saves lives but also strengthens the bond between law enforcement and the public.
By obeying these laws, he asserted, accidents and fatalities could significantly decrease, making Guyana’s roads safer for everyone.
“I have to speak the truth so that members of the public can know what is happening. You will not shift your blame from your total responsibility that you have to transfer it to the Guyana Police Force Traffic department…”, he said.
Only recently, four young people lost their lives after the car in which they were travelling collided with a parked truck then slammed into a concrete fence at Canal No 2 Polder, WBD. Those who were killed were 17-year-old Daveanand Singh; 19-year-old Amiesha Jaikaran; 18-year-old Divyanie Narine, and 19-year-old Daniel Tirbeni.