The holidays are associated with fun and merriment, but for members of the Guyana Police Force, it means working harder to ensure that the citizens are safer. This they are doing through their annual Christmas security plans. When Christmas plans were discussed recently, questions were raised on whether the Police Traffic Department had any plan to make the roads safer over the holidays.
This year has seen many major accidents. During the holidays, we are going to see an increase in the number of traffic offences, all because of increased congestion on the roads. In addition, high stress levels typically associated with the holidays would add to the recklessness on the roads. And for this reason, we are disappointed – as we were last year – at the Traffic Department’s approach to the holiday traffic. For inasmuch as an increase in traffic offences is worrying, it is even more worrying that the probability of accidents and deaths would increase as a result of drunk-driving particularly.
In the lead-up to the Christmas holidays some time ago, we mentioned that the Police would have to be more vigilant for drivers operating under the influence of alcohol. This year, it is necessary to ask if the traffic Police are more prepared this time around to handle the increase in traffic offences – especially drunk-driving. Drunk-driving is one of the most troubling traffic offences. Driving while either intoxicated or drunk is dangerous, and drivers with high blood alcohol content or concentration (BAC) are at greatly increased risk of being involved in car accidents and sustaining highway injuries and/or vehicular deaths.
Every single injury and death caused by drunk-driving is fully preventable. Although the proportion of alcohol-related crashes locally may not be as significant as they are in other countries, those that occur are still worrying. Unfortunately, in spite of these concerns, alcohol-impaired driving remains a serious national problem that tragically affects many victims and their families.
The approach to combat drunk-driving has been severely lacking; and were the Police more prepared for this battle, then, as the holidays approach, public messages via the media would have been issued to citizens to constantly remind drivers about the impacts of drunk-driving and what the law’s position on it is. Cautioning drivers every time about getting behind the wheel after surpassing the drink limit is necessary, as every year there are scores of young and new drivers who are not familiar with these issues, or the reality of the roads.
Drivers need constant reminders about the dangers of drunk-driving, and the Police must have plans that proactively seek out drunk drivers before they drive off.
Now with the passage of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2022, aimed at toughening existing laws to prevent drunk driving and the carnage on the road it is hoped that this will be properly enforced. We agree that this is not a Police issue only but full responsibility must be taken by the driver, however full enforcement will send a pellucid message to drivers.
We agree with Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, when he had said during his presentation on the Bill, that the nation need to change its mindset. To quote the AG: “This can’t be the Government’s job alone, and legislative changes alone can never be able to curb this horrendous, tragic loss of human life in our country. Every member of society, every responsible organisation in this country must join hands with our government, as we begin to chart a new course of making our roads safe.”
As the Christmas and New Year holidays draw nearer, the Traffic Department is urged to implement more measures to prevent – as much as possible – drivers from drinking and getting behind the wheel. This year has seen far too many deaths, and Christmas makes it even easier for people to die, since alcohol consumption increases and is perhaps higher than it would have been over the rest of the year. The aim should be for an accident-free holiday; and in achieving this, the Police may consider issuing public messages mandating the installation of interlock devices that prevent intoxicated persons from starting a vehicle, vehicle impoundment or immobilisation, and the implementation of an alcohol server training programme. These measures can make a difference between life and death.
