Carnage on roadways: 110 deaths from 92 accidents spark urgent road safety campaign

In a recent report, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) unveiled a sobering statistic – 110 lives, including three children, have been tragically lost on the nation’s roadways this year.
The report, issued by the Police Force’s Public Relations Department on a Friday, also revealed that 92 road accidents occurred between January and August, resulting in the tally of 110 fatalities, including children.

Responding to this distressing trend, President Dr Irfaan Ali recently took a resolute stance, instructing the Police to launch a comprehensive nationwide road safety campaign. The President’s commitment to addressing the core issues is steadfast, with a specific focus on curbing drinking and driving and excessive speeding.
In his plea, President Ali has implored citizens to view road safety as a collective responsibility, emphasising the necessity of a united front to combat the alarming surge in road accidents. He has also sought detailed statistics on early morning accidents and other pertinent data to guide the development of more effective safety measures.

The urgency of these actions is punctuated by two recent tragedies that claimed the lives of four teenagers and a baby. In one heart-wrenching incident, a speeding car collided with a parked truck and a concrete fence at Canal #2 Polder, West Bank Demerara, resulting in the loss of 17-year-old Daveanand Singh, 19-year-old Amiesha Jaikaran, 18-year-old Divyanie Narine, and 19-year-old Daniel Tirbeni.
In another heartrending episode, 10-month-old Zainad Boyer tragically lost her life in an accident at Dennis Street, Sophia, Georgetown, where her father reportedly collided with another car while speeding.

To address the escalating road fatalities, a “Respect the Road” Road Safety Awareness Campaign was launched in collaboration with the Government of Guyana and Impressions in July 2023. During the campaign launch, it was disclosed that over 4000 traffic tickets had been issued in 2023, with more than 2000 individuals facing traffic offence charges.

Additionally, in response to the surge in road fatalities involving electric bikes, the National Assembly has passed a new regulatory framework. Police data reveals that from 2021 to 2023, 11 lives were lost, and 14 individuals suffered significant injuries due to electric cycle incidents.
Traffic Chief Dennis Stephens, in an interview with Guyana Times, stressed the importance of regularising electric cycles (e-bikes) and educating e-bike users about road rules and safety. The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has initiated e-bike registration, with Traffic ranks conducting educational sessions on road rules and safety requirements.
“The e-cycle must be registered, you must have a driver’s licence, you must have a certificate of fitness to ensure your cycle is fit to be on the road and insurance to cover you in case of an accident,” Stephen said.
As part of the registration process, e-bike users are required to possess a driver’s licence, a certificate of fitness for their cycles, and insurance coverage in case of accidents. This educational campaign is particularly active in Regions Three, Five, and Six, where e-bikes are prevalent.
The rising toll of road fatalities has prompted swift and comprehensive action from Government and law enforcement agencies as they seek to make the roadways safer for all. (G9)