As National Road Safety Month unfolds with the theme “Do the Right Thing,” it’s a time for reflection and a call to action. Stakeholders from law enforcement, road safety councils, and Government are imploring the public to prioritize road safety, not only for their own sakes, but for the wellbeing of their families and communities. The message is clear: accidents are avoidable, and yet road users continue to display dangerous behaviours. This year, calls for a cultural shift are louder than ever, driven by rising death tolls and a heavy toll on families and society.
Woman Superintendent Shellon Daniels has voiced a growing frustration among police and road safety advocates, who tirelessly campaign to remind people about basic safety protocols, like wearing helmets. Daniels pointedly asked, “Why is it that the Road Safety Council and the police…have to be walking behind you as a driving force, asking you to wear your helmet?” Indeed, wearing a helmet should be instinctive, a non-negotiable habit among motorcyclists. Yet, these reminders seem to fall on deaf ears, even though helmets are proven to drastically reduce the risk of death in accidents.
This resistance to safety practices affects not only those involved in accidents, but also their families, their communities, and the country as a whole. Daniels rightly highlights the far-reaching trauma and economic strain that each road death can bring, especially when the victim is the family’s primary provider. “Every time a life is lost…it puts a burden on each and every household,” she explained, underscoring that every accident is a ripple that expands outward, disrupting lives, support systems, and families’ financial stability.
The statistics shared by Michelle Baptiste paint a grim picture of road safety in Guyana. Between 2014 and November 2024, the country has witnessed 1,212 fatal accidents and has lost 1,370 lives. The death toll is not simply a number; it represents 1,370 lost lives, thousands of grieving loved ones, and countless futures altered. Baptiste’s data highlights a staggering gender disparity, with male fatalities consistently outnumbering female ones, raising questions about risk-taking behaviours, especially among men.
But the statistics become even more disturbing when examining the causes. Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh pointed to speeding, dangerous driving, and inattentiveness as major contributors. According to the data, speeding alone accounts for 75% of these deaths, with weekends being especially dangerous. Singh also drew attention to inattentive behaviour among pedestrians, reminding us that road safety is a two-way street. Pedestrians, too, must adhere to safety practices, as their inattentiveness can be equally deadly.
The push to reduce fatalities is clear, and ambitious targets have been set. Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn articulated a vision of reducing annual road deaths to 53 by 2030, but reaching this goal requires a substantial shift in public behaviour. Benn emphasized the influence of adults’ behaviour on young people, noting that reckless driving and disregard for safety laws create a cycle of poor habits. When young drivers grow up watching older generations flout rules, they often replicate this behaviour. For this reason, there’s a particular focus on educating young people about road safety this year. Teaching children to respect traffic laws today could help foster a generation that views safety compliance as a natural part of driving.
The statistics on vehicles involved in fatal accidents also reveal troubling trends. Private cars account for 35% of fatalities, and motorcycles 32%, underscoring the need for interventions specific to these types of vehicles. The high fatality rate associated with motorcycles, for instance, suggests that more rigorous helmet enforcement and public awareness campaigns could make a significant difference.
In addressing this public health crisis, the theme “Do the Right Thing” is an urgent call for personal responsibility. When we choose to ignore road safety laws, we put lives at risk —our own and those of others. Every time we get behind the wheel, we make choices that can either contribute to, or mitigate, this crisis. The police, road safety councils, and Government have provided guidelines, laws, and education; now it’s up to each of us to make the right decisions and ensure these tragedies do not become routine.
Ultimately, road safety requires a cultural transformation, one wherein laws are not seen as restrictions, but as protections. While the work of the police and road safety advocates is critical, the responsibility rests equally with each road user.
