Guyana’s public infrastructure below standards – US State Dept

…urges visitors to avoid using minibuses
…roads lack maintenance, Police sporadically enforce traffic laws

Guyana’s public infrastructure was put under a microscope in a United States (US) Department of State report, which states that road conditions in Guyana and consequential road safety, are sub-standard.
According to the 2018 Crime and Safety Report on Guyana released a few days ago, roads are hardly maintained while street lighting is sporadic at best. It also notes that faced with sporadic enforcement of traffic laws from the Police, drivers often drive recklessly.

“Road conditions and road safety standards are below US standards. Roads are rarely maintained, and street lighting is sporadic. Vehicle accidents are very common, and accidents involving pedestrians are also very common. Traffic enforcement is rare to non-existent,” the report states.
“Traffic accidents are a major concern in Georgetown, with speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol contributing factors. Road and driving conditions are poor. Police sporadically enforce local traffic laws, and local drivers often drive recklessly,” the report added.
The report states that stop signs and traffic signals are often ignored by road users. The report urges drivers to be on the lookout for other cars and trucks, minibuses, horse-drawn carts, bicycles, scooters, motorcycles and pedestrians.
It even urges drivers to beware of stray dogs, sleeping animals and free-range livestock, since all these things “share narrow, poorly maintained roads.” In addition, the report notes the lack of sidewalks.
“A combination of very aggressive and inexperienced, timid vehicle operators makes driving especially dangerous. Speeding, reckless driving, tailgating, cutting across lanes and stopping quickly without signalling, passing at intersections, and passing on crowded streets are commonplace.”
“Driving at night poses additional concerns due to poor street lighting and road conditions, drivers not lowering high beam lights, livestock, and pedestrians congregating by the roadside,” it states.

Vigilance
While the report does note that Guyana is a medium threat location for terrorism and political violence, it does warn US citizens to remain vigilant and always consider security issues when planning activities throughout Guyana.
“Guyana does not have trained medical personnel who routinely respond to accidents, and ambulances generally do not have medical personnel or equipment on board to provide adequate medical care; ambulances are only for transportation. People injured in accidents are often transported by taxi,” the report also states.

Minibuses
The report was particularly harsh on the use of public transportation in Guyana, specifically discouraging visitors from using minibuses. This would come even as members of the public have been increasingly critical of the unchecked rampage caused by most minibuses.
This ranges from speeding and over packing these minibuses with passengers to loud and sometimes obscene music. Speeding minibuses have also been a common factor in most road accidents, especially those that end in fatalities.
“The use of minibuses by visitors unfamiliar with the country is highly discouraged. The use of reputable taxis, (such as) those offered through the major hotels and tourist agencies, is preferable, as they are usually safer, more reliable, and affordable.”
When it comes to visitors travelling into the Guyana’s hinterland, the report warns US citizens to only use well established tour companies in a bid to ensure their safety. Here, they pointed to reports of tourists being targeted.
“Travel to the interior requires planning and caution. Medical and law enforcement resources in many interior locations are significantly less than what is available in the capital.”
It noted that there have been reports of tourists and foreigners being robbed while travelling in the countryside, and there are occasional reports of bandits on rural roads and piracy on the local rivers.