798 charges; 2,175 traffic tickets issued in 1 week

The roadways have witnessed a surge in incidents over the past week, raising concerns about road safety and the wellbeing of commuters; and
the latest report from the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced on the nation’s roads.
The total number of reported charges for the week has reached 798, capturing the attention of authorities and the public alike. The City has experienced a notable increase in traffic violations, prompting the authorities to take a closer look at the contributing factors.
Friday and Saturday have emerged as the most problematic days: 607 and 534 cases were respectively recorded on those days; and according to the GPF, these alarming figures indicate a pressing need for enhanced road safety measures to be implemented and awareness campaigns to be launched.
Speeding violations took centre stage during the one-week period reviewed, resulting in a total of 1,043 tickets having had to be issued. Saturday alone witnessed an astonishing 205 cases, highlighting a concerning trend of speeding on weekends.
Driving under the influence (DUI) added to the complexity of the situation, with a total of 39 incidents reported. Regional Division Three (Essequibo Island-West Demerara) stood out in this regard with 17 cases.
Region ‘4C’ (East Coast Demerara) recorded the most traffic violations for the week, with 833 reported cases, including the highest number of tickets issued for speeding (385). Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Region 4B (East Bank Demerara) following closely, with 667 and 568 cases respectively.
In response to these road safety challenges, sensitisation programmes were conducted on the National Communications Network (NCN) with the aim to educate the public on road safety, accident prevention, and strategies to address reckless road behaviour.
According to the GPF, lectures were a key component of the outreach efforts, with 29 sessions held for drivers in each Regional Division. Bars and restaurants hosted daily sessions, while nighttime lectures took place at construction sites and busy roadways. Schools were not left out, with 38 lectures conducted to raise awareness among students.

Tragically, the week also saw three fatal accidents, with speeding identified as a major contributing factor. The most recent accident claimed the life of Andrew Viramuthu, a 33-year-old labourer of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
Reports are that Viramuthu was stuck by motorcar PZZ 8045, driven by a 27-year-old legal clerk who was travelling in an easterly direction along the public road. According to the Police, the driver of PZZ 8045 is alleging that Viramuthu ran across the road from north to south and into the path of his vehicle; and despite his attempt to apply brakes, the front portion of the vehicle collided with Viramuthu, propelling him into the air. Viramuthu sustained fatal injuries, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Guyana Police Force is urging both motorists and pedestrians to comply with road rules, and observe the 5 Cs without hesitation. As Guyana grapples with this surge in road incidents, there is a call for collaborative efforts and a heightened sense of responsibility among all road users. The focus remains on creating safer roadways through education, enforcement, and community engagement. (G9)