A national imperative beyond annual campaigns

The launch of Road Safety Month 2025 underscores a stark reality that continues to challenge Guyana, which is the persistent and preventable loss of lives on the nation’s roadways. Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, in his address at the Bush Lot Community Centre, West Coast Berbice, highlighted the gravity of the situation, reminding the public that over the past five years, 642 lives, including 24 children, have been claimed in traffic-related incidents. These figures are more than statistics; they are a solemn reminder of the human cost of negligence, recklessness, and indiscipline on the roads.
The data presented offers a sobering view of the patterns behind these fatalities. From 2020 to 2024, fatal accidents numbered 574, with the highest incidence occurring in 2023, when 148 accidents resulted in 175 deaths. Analysis reveals a concentration of accidents during late evening hours, often linked to fatigue, poor visibility, or impaired driving, while Sundays remain the most hazardous days. This evidence points to a pressing need for behavioural change among road users, a call that transcends sporadic awareness campaigns and demands daily vigilance.
Road safety is a shared societal duty. Drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians all hold a stake in ensuring safer travel. Reckless driving, speeding, and driving under the influence continue to claim young, productive lives that are vital to the country’s social and economic development. The loss of these individuals is felt in families as well as across communities, where the absence of a parent, sibling, or colleague has lasting repercussions.
The Prime Minister’s appeal to adopt the “five C’s of driving”, care, caution, courtesy, consideration, and common sense, emphasises that safety begins with personal discipline. Vehicles, while indispensable for mobility, must never become instruments of harm. Simple acts, such as designating a driver, avoiding alcohol, adhering to speed limits, and minimising distractions, have the potential to avert tragedies. These measures, while straightforward, require consistent practice and cultural reinforcement, highlighting the importance of embedding road safety into daily routines rather than treating it as a periodic obligation.
Governmental initiatives, as outlined by the Prime Minister, reflect a multifaceted approach aimed at reducing traffic fatalities. The Smart Road Programme, which incorporates radar-based speed monitoring, seatbelt detection systems, improved lighting, and enhanced signage in high-risk zones, represents a commitment to infrastructure modernisation. Strengthened traffic enforcement by the Guyana Police Force complements these measures, ensuring that legal frameworks are actively applied. However, enforcement alone is insufficient without public cooperation. Allowing authorities to perform their duties without interference is essential to sustaining a culture of accountability and safety.
Education remains the cornerstone of effective road safety strategy. Engaging parents, teachers, and students in discussions about traffic norms, pedestrian safety, and responsible behaviour fosters awareness from an early age. As emphasised during the launch, even conversations around dinner tables can be life-saving interventions. These efforts must continue in tandem with public campaigns, community outreaches, and school-based programmes to cultivate a collective consciousness around road safety.
The theme of this year’s Road Safety Month, “Careful Driving Saves Lives”, aptly encapsulates the central message: vigilance, responsibility, and empathy on the roads are indispensable. Guyana’s expanding economy and increased vehicle ownership bring added responsibilities to all road users. Safety is not incidental; it is deliberate, requiring both systemic support and individual accountability.
Ultimately, the challenge of reducing traffic fatalities is a test of national resolve. Achieving this vision necessitates a cultural shift where safety is ingrained, respected, and practised daily. Each driver, pedestrian, and cyclist must internalise the fact that every decision on the road carries profound consequences. By prioritising care, courtesy, and discipline, the nation can help reverse the trend of loss and ensure that its roadways facilitate life, growth, and community rather than grief.