GPF not in the best position regarding road safety – Min Benn admits

As Guyana continues to see high numbers of deaths due to road traffic-related accidents, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn declared that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is not in the best position in terms of road safety.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn was at the time speaking at the Guyana National Road Safety Stakeholders’ Forum, which was held at the Officers’ Training Centre, on Camp Street Georgetown.
The event was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, and the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
During the event, Minister Benn said that Guyana has had some horrific crashes recently, resulting from speeding, intoxication, and distracted driving. He said the work in terms of road safety will require constant effort, which will see major improvements.
“It is a 24/7 activity job… I want to again acknowledge the work, much of it volunteered work from the National Road Safety Council, in relation to being engaged in this effort, and in partnering with the efforts of the Ministries, the Government, and the Guyana Police Force particularly the Traffic Department…”
The Minister further challenged the officers to work cohesively to improve the current numbers.

“We are aware of the gaps we have, the issues we have in relation to the question of road safety…we are aware of where we have failings, and where we are not meeting international, or even national standards, in relation to what we need to do. We are aware of the bad acting, the bad behaviour.”
He suggested that more graphic designs of accidents be shown to the public so that they will realise the importance of road safety.
“We are perhaps at a new level of differences of responding to things which are graphic…if people don’t see on these machines, the brains on the road spilled out… we need to do things to bring about the level of awareness and we have to bring it to the level where people will not be so disdainful…”, he explained.
Meanwhile, Traffic Chief Superintendent Ramesh Ashram was also present at the event and reiterated that it is not only the duty of the Police to enforce road safety, but it is also the responsibility of the public to be safe on the roadways.
“We could implement the system, we could lecture, we can share fliers and everything but it’s you the road users, it’s how you take it in. Sometimes when we analyse accidents and road lawlessness it leaves you to wonder whether persons are actually listening to the education programs…”, he said.
For the year so far, there were 20 fatal accidents with 16 deaths compared to last year with 24 fatal accidents with 25 deaths.
According to the Traffic Chief, since 2015 the country has seen over 100 accidents per year, however for this year, there has been a 30 per cent decrease in accidents, but a 4 per cent increase in deaths. As such, several systems have been put in place to curb this issue.
“There is special traffic patrol countrywide in each respective region. Our Traffic Department also has a proactive enforcement policy towards errant road users in an effort to enforce traffic laws and regulations to curtail unsafe and bad driving practices,” he said.