Guyana records 50 road fatalities between January and April 2023
File photo: Two vehicles that were involved in recent fatal accidents
Fifty persons have died on Guyana’s roadways between January 1st and April 24, 2023, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has revealed.
In a report release, the GPF has said that of the total of 50 road fatalities during this period, 19 were caused by fatal traffic incidents and the remaining 31 were due to accidents.
Only two months ago, the Police reported a 100% increase in road fatalities compared to the same period last year.
The report also highlights an increase in pedestrian fatalities by 25 per cent, while motorcyclists comprise approximately 44 percent of those killed during the same period compared to last year. Comparative data shows that fatal accidents primarily occur on Sundays and Fridays between 18:00h and 05:59h, with male drivers accounting for 81 percent of all deaths.
In response, the Home Affairs Ministry has been collaborating with stakeholders to develop a comprehensive action plan to reduce road accidents and fatalities by 50 percent by 2030. The National Assembly passed the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill in 2022, which aims to promote and enforce safe driving and impose higher penalties for serious infractions.
The National Road Safety Council’s financial resources have been boosted to over $11 million, aiding in sensitization and reducing road accidents. The Ministry of Home Affairs is committed to providing evidence-based road safety knowledge and awareness programmes through advocacy, training and education, to create a culture of safety among all road users, including young adults.
The Government is also upgrading roads and highways and installing lights and CCTV cameras at strategic points to improve infrastructure and safety.
Augmenting these efforts, the Traffic Department is intensifying efforts to prevent speeding, and urges drivers to exercise caution on the roads, follow traffic laws and regulations, and maintain their vehicles regularly. Safe driving practices such as wearing seatbelts and avoiding distracted driving are emphasised.(G9)
