Amid alarming road deaths: Public Works Minister calls for stricter controls on roadways

…calls out Guyanese for reckless, careless behaviours

Fifteen people have died for the year 2022 due to accidents on the roadways, and Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has called on citizens to desist from such reckless behaviour that can cost lives.

On Friday the Minister appealed for persons to exercise responsible behaviour in a bid to reduce casualties, in light of the spike in accidents.
“Citizens continue to die on our roadways at an alarming rate. As the Minister of Public Works who is responsible for Guyana’s road transportation network, it is of great concern for me and my Ministry that some persons continue to use the roads in a reckless and uncaring manner, which in many instances result in the death or injury to themselves and innocent road users.”
Comparative data has shown that as of March 3, 15 persons were killed on the roads, as a result of 14 accidents. When compared with the same period for 2021, 20 persons died from 19 accidents.

However, what was significantly alarming, is that in 2021, 14 of the 20 persons killed at that period were the most vulnerable classes of road users: two pedal cyclists, eight motorcyclists and four pedestrians. Of the 15 killed this year, the vulnerable classes accounted for seven: two pedal cyclists, three motorcyclists, two pedestrians.
For the year 2021, 99 persons were killed when compared with 139 persons for 2020. The 2021 results showed a 29 per cent reduction when compared to 2020. The vulnerable class of road users accounted for 67.7 per cent of the total deaths in 2021 and in 2020, they accounted for 79.9 per cent of the total deaths.
“My Ministry continues to take significant steps to have safe spaces (pedestrian walkways/sidewalks) installed for pedestrians. Very alarming from the data retrieved from the Guyana Police Force, where it was found that pedal and motorcyclists combined accounted for 37.4 per cent of the deaths in 2021 and 56.1 per cent in 2020,” Edghill contended.
As it relates to serious accidents for 2021, the data provided showed that 362 serious accidents were recorded, and resulted in injuries to 397 persons. In 2020, 329 serious accidents resulted in 356 persons injured.
“We saw from that data, a 11.5 per cent increase in serious accident in 2021 when compared to 2020 and a 10 per cent increase in injuries. I am of the opinion that many of the injuries might have resulted in persons not being able to meaningfully contribute and serve to their full potential,” the Minister asserted.
Pedal and motorcyclists were asked to use helmets, since many Guyanese are traversing the roads without proper protective gears. This increases their risks of severe injuries when accidents occur.
“I urge pedestrians to exercise caution when crossing our roads, and with the advent of four-lane roads, consideration should be given that it will take more time to cross. Proper judgement is required. The use of seatbelts by occupants of both the front and rear seats of all motor vehicles are encouraged. I appeal to parents/guardians and teachers to adopt and promote road safety education as regular possible.”
Partnerships with the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department, the Guyana Road Safety Council and the Ministry of Public Works should be enhanced, he added, with an aim of grater public education and awareness and stricter enforcement.
“No life should be lost as a result of carelessness or recklessness. As the Minister of Public Works, I will examine with my colleagues, to encourage legislation to ensure stricter controls, be it the training/re-training of drivers or riders, higher fines or stiffer penalties and a studied approach for the introduction of a demerit system,” he penned in the statement. (G12)