…warn drivers to stop for persons to cross roadways
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has sounded a warning to the motoring public about the rules of the road in relation to keeping pedestrians safe at crosswalks. This warning comes on the heels of the Force’s records reflecting that 60 percent of road deaths in the country this year are of pedestrians.
Traffic Chief Dennis Stephen made this shocking revelation in an interview on Tuesday with the GPF’s PRO, Stan Gouveia.
Traffic Chief Dennis Stephen
“Pedestrians would have been a challenge to us, being the most vulnerable road users… We would have observed that most of the pedestrians do not observe the rules of the road”, Stephen has said.
Stephen is warning that, according to the laws of Guyana, vehicles must stop when a pedestrian is crossing a roadway at a marked or unmarked crosswalk. He said a pedestrian is considered to be crossing when any part or extension of the body moves into the roadway in a crosswalk.
“Even though you are at the pedestrian crossing, there is an offence that indicates under the regulations, Chap 189, speaks that if a pedestrian (is) at the pedestrian crossing, the driver proceeding must stop and allow that pedestrian to pass…if they fail to do so, an offence has occurred,” the Traffic Chief explained.
He said in the case where there are no zebra crossings, the pedestrian must observe the curb drill by looking at both sides of the road before crossing.
“The pedestrian must also use the designated pavement or sidewalk, and a high pass, where it is available…also, do not cross the road in the path of a moving vehicle, because that will be an offence for the pedestrian also,” Stephen has pointed out.
Thus far, in total, 87 fatal accidents have been recorded this year, as compared to 79 for last year. Those accidents, according to the traffic Chief, occur from Friday to Monday between 18:00h and midnight, with victims being in the age range between 18 and 45.
As such, to reduce accidents on the roadways, the Police have embarked on several initiatives.
“We are looking at having exercises targeting drunk drivers. We have had interaction with bars and have a dialogue with owners, so that they would have some sort of responsibly to observe when a person is incapable of driving, and have systems in place, such as calling a taxi for that driver to make his way home safely,” Stephens said.
Stephen also said the Police are looking to visit accident victims in hospitals, and would make it mandatory for drivers who have caused those accidents to visit patients. He said that by doing this, motorists would have a firsthand look at how families are affected as a result of accidents.
Electric bikes
The Traffic Chief has also said the use of electric bikes continues to pose challenges for the Police Force. There are no laws governing the use of electric cycles, and there has been concern expressed by many road users over the use of these cycles, especially by young children, many of whom do not know traffic signs and laws. Considering that, by law, these electric bikes cannot be considered driven, only ridden, reinforcement of protective gear poses a challenge.
Stephens has said that, for this year, the Police Force has recorded several accidents involving these bikes. He says this is a concerning development, since no accidents were recorded in the previous year.
“For last year, we would have recorded zero accidents with these cycles, and this year we would have recorded seven deaths and 12 serious injuries as it relates to these cycles. It is currently a challenge for us. We would have realised that it’s lack of knowledge using the road on their (riders) behalf, and there are many issues as it relates to the cycles. There are no indicators, and the vehicle is very silent, so it poses a danger for the user overtaking and persons not hearing they are passing,” he related.
In March this year, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) engaged in discussions on the regularisation of the use of electric bikes on the country’s roadways. To date, however, no firm decision has been taken. (G9)
