Road accidents: Stricter fines, penalties for those who destroy public properties – MoPW

The Public Works Ministry has taken note of the increasingly alarming trend of excessive speeding and reckless driving on Guyana’s roadways – a practice that must never be condoned.
In the last few weeks, several persons – young and old; males and females have lost their lives as a result of speeding coupled with alcohol consumption in some instances.
In fact, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) reported that 109 persons have lost their lives from 91 accidents between January 1 to August 28, 2023. For the same period in 2022, there were 62 fatal accidents, which resulted in 68 deaths.
“There is a level of irresponsibility that is practiced by many drivers today, and one has to wonder if this is the cost of development, the Ministry stated in a release.
It reiterated that while the country’s road infrastructure programme is extensive, the citizens are the country’s greatest assets, and as such, everyone has a responsibility to ensure that the roadways are safe through correct and lawful use.
“The Government’s transformative agenda includes expanding main roads and other essential infrastructure to accommodate growth in population and vehicle traffic. This is to accommodate the economic advancement of the country and equally ensure the safety of every citizen and visitor,” the release added.
Subject Minister Juan Edghill is pleading with road users to avoid the temptation of speed chasing and drag racing along the roadway, while noting that racing is for the South Dakota Circuit.
“Yes, laws will be enforced, but the responsibility of practicing what is lawful lies with all of us.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry has taken note of the increased destruction of public property as a result of accidents and warned that stricter fines and penalties will be introduced to curb this.
In the case of reckless driving, these drivers will be held responsible and made to pay the cost of replacement and/or repairs.
“As the Minister of Public Works, I join with President Irfaan Ali and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn in urging the Police to launch an expansive road safety campaign throughout the country to tackle the root causes of this problem.”