“Innovative approaches” to combat road carnage

President Dr Irfaan Ali has addressed the distressing rise in road fatalities as one which has the full attention of authorities, and innovative approaches are being looked at to bring these statistics down.
Speaking during the Guyana Police Force’s Annual Officers’ Conference on Thursday, the Head of State highlighted that the onus was upon road users to act in a responsible manner when using the roadways. However, untoward actions have resulted in the need for new approaches.
“We have to work in a comprehensive way with all stakeholders in finding and bringing innovative approaches that will deal with the fundamental problem, that is, the way people think, act, and behave on the road. It is unfortunate that you have to find innovative ways of enforcement when it is within the power of all of us, every driver, every road user to act and behave in a matter befitting to what is expected of them,” Ali divulged.
Compounding this issue, the Head of State added, is the rapid development across the country. Ali added that just a glance of the budget for every agency showed that institutional systems were never built to support this magnitude of expansion and growth. It puts authorities in a position to keep up with the needs of this growth.
“I don’t think there is any more an off-peak moment on the East Bank Highway. All hours in the night and the number of trucks, all of these are matters that we are not unaware of, but compound the situation because you have to find the balance. You can slow the speed down, but not the development down. Development is integral and natural in the type of expansion taking place.
“We find ourselves in a fortunate and unfortunate position where policy-making, decision-making, judicial services and police services must now operate at a speed and pace that the institutional arrangement and system was not built to support. That is a fundamental issue that we have to resolve.”
Meanwhile, acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken disclosed that the traffic situation was a work in progress, with a current eight per cent reduction overall in traffic accidents for 2024.
“Despite the challenges we had last year in terms of traffic, we still concluded at an overall figure of -.2 per cent despite having more fatal[ities]. This year, we’re currently at a -8.00 per cent with less fatal[ities] than last year. So, it’s a work in progress,” he stated.
Given the vast expansion and upgrade work being done to the country’s road networks, the issue of road safety assumes even greater importance. Recognising this, the Government has said it will be implementing a robust road safety and traffic management plan. This includes the implementation of information technology solutions to manage traffic, including the development of a new radar system and new laws and regulations.
Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh had pointed out earlier this year that driving under the influence, speeding and inconsiderate use of the road are some of the major causes of serious road accidents.
He believes that the fine for speeding should be increased from the current $7500 to $25,000 and that for failure to wear seat belts from $7500 to $35,000. The proposal for an increase in fines has already been made.
The senior traffic officer had said drivers must change the culture of late departure which results in many drivers being impatient while behind the wheel. Further to that, there are many poorly-maintained vehicles on the roadways and some drivers make poor parking choices.
Compounding those issues is roadside vending, which the Police have little control over. (G12)