Drunk driving causes loss of lives, destruction of families

Dear Editor,
Quite frequently, we see Guyanese being killed and injured physically by hit-and-run drivers. These drivers, if and when found, had mostly been under the influence of alcohol.
In the State of New York, a first DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) offence carries a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to one year in jail. Moreover, the state revokes your driver’s licence for at least six months.
The second DWI offence within ten years is a Class E felony which carries a fine of up to $5,000 and up to four years in prison. And the state revokes your driver’s licence for at least one year.
The third DUI offence within ten years is a Class D felony. The maximum penalty increases to $10,000 and the driver faces a term of imprisonment of up to seven years. (New York Law, 14th May 2021, Online).
Further, if you cause a drunk driving accident in the State of New York, the victim(s) may sue you for damages caused by the accident. Damages include: medical bills and cost of treatment; cost of personal care; loss of income and benefits, including compensation for decreases in earning capacity, permanent impairments and disabilities; loss of quality of life and enjoyment of life; emotional distress and mental anguish; physical pain and suffering. (New York Law, 14th May 2021, Online).
In addition, New York has a zero-tolerance law for underage drinking and driving. A driver under the age of 21 years who has a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of .02 to .07 violates this law. Penalties for breaking the zero-tolerance law include civil penalties of $125 and an additional $100 to terminate the suspension. There is no jail time, but your driver’s licence is suspended for at least six months. Subsequent offences increase the fines and suspension. (New York Law, 14th May 2021, Online).
And now that Guyana has a tremendous increase in vehicular traffic, we need the same regime of severe charges and penalties. I believe that driving under the influence of alcohol is the most reprehensible thing a person could do. As the caption to this letter says: “Drunk driving causes loss of lives, destruction of families”.
We have frequently seen quite positive and youthful persons being killed on the roads by reckless and drunken drivers. The only way to deal with this scourge is to study the types of charges and penalties for drunk driving, as was done in the State of New York, and implement very severe penalties here in Guyana at the earliest.
The Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Amendment Act of 2022 is said to have introduced harsher penalties for those caught driving under the influence of alcohol. Fines have been increased from $7,500 to $200,000, and the sentences has been increased from 12 months to 24 months.
All drunk drivers are potential murderers of descent citizens and producers of this country; murderers of youths and children in this country. These drivers can cause serious pain and injury to youths.
I know of an accident that occurred a number of years ago on the East Coast of Demerara, in which a flourishing youth was knocked down by a drunk driver and is now bedridden for life, and the insurance company would not compensate appropriately. The insurance award was the absolute minimum allowed by law in Guyana (look out for another letter from me, as in the past, on the minimum coverage required by law in motor vehicle insurance in Guyana). That driver was under the influence of alcohol, and the insurance company refused to pay, according to information.
Closer to home, the tragic death of such a youth as Ian Mekdeci, a son of love struck down by a drunk driver, was most horrific. This is only one of the possible hundreds of Guyanese losses on our roads to the recklessness of drunk drivers.
I believe that people who, through drunk-driving, cause death and injury should work to pay for loss of income to individuals, loss of an income-earning parent or family member who had sustained a family. These individuals who cause destruction and death should work for the rest of their lives to pay the victims of drunk driving. There should be no sympathy extended to them. Even if they are sentenced to jail, they should be put into a situation where they can work to earn monies, not for their “tuck shop” account, but to compensate families or individuals they have injured in one way or the other.
We, the people of this country, must demand that our Government listen to us to create maximum laws with maximum penalties in regard to drunk driving.

Sincerely,
Roshan Khan