The holidays are associated with fun and merriment; however, this year, as a result of COVID-19, it is expected that celebrations would be scaled down significantly. However, COVID-19, and even the national curfew, has not stopped persons from indulging in the reckless behaviour of drinking and driving. For the holiday season, the members of the Guyana Police Force will have to be working harder to ensure that citizens are safer. This year has seen many major accidents which have claimed hundreds of lives on our roadways. In the aftermath of these horrendous road accidents, many families have been left trying to cope with the loss of loved ones.
The sudden and shocking death of someone close, especially due to an accident, can never be easy. The ensuing excruciating pain and mental trauma that are inflicted on surviving relatives can be unbearable. In a fleeting moment, families were plunged into sadness and despair upon receiving the dreadful news that an accident had taken the life of someone dear to them. That’s the painful result, and often, it’s real and lingering impact may be hidden from the spotlight of the media. As the holidays draw closer, we are going to see an increase in the number of traffic offences, all because of increased congestion and recklessness on the roads. It also means that, in the lead-up to the Christmas holidays, the Police would have to be more vigilant to detect drivers operating under the influence of alcohol. It is necessary for traffic ranks to be prepared to handle the increase in traffic offences, especially drunk-driving – 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 vehicle accidents and sustaining highway injuries and/or deaths. The pages of the newspapers are splashed almost daily with reports of accidents due to the reckless and irresponsible behaviour of motorists. Some of these accidents are due to driving under the influence of alcohol. The effects of alcohol abuse are well known; citizens should therefore be encouraged to make better judgment in every situation, in the interest of themselves, their families and the community.
While it is not our intention to place the blame for all our problems on alcohol, one cannot dispute the fact it is indeed a contributory factor to some of the social ills we face in our country today.
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.
We urge all stakeholders to redouble their efforts and step up the campaign to spread more awareness and education about the dangers of alcohol abuse and drinking and driving. While the Government has played a crucial role in designing the relevant programmes and policies, and has put in place the necessary legislative framework aimed at addressing the practice of drinking and driving and harmful use of alcohol, this burden must also be shared by other stakeholders: such as the religious groups, the private sector, and other non-governmental organisations (NGO) etc.
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, 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 programmes. These measures can make a difference between life and death.
