Intoxicated persons lying on Linden Highway raise safety concerns

Motorists traversing the Linden-Soesdyke Highway are being urged to remain vigilant after traffic ranks raised concerns about intoxicated persons being found lying along sections of the roadway, particularly during night-time hours.
The issue was highlighted during Tuesday evening’s edition of the “Road Safety and You” programme, where traffic officers attached to Regional Division 4B warned that the dangerous practice is creating major risks for both drivers and pedestrians.
Inspector Rolex Scott, the officer in charge of traffic at the Highway Patrol Base, disclosed that several such incidents have been recorded recently along the highway.
“Recently, along the highway, we have had several issues in that regard. Persons or persons tend to imbibe in all sorts of activities, and on the way home, they tend to lie down right in the vicinity of Splashmins Resort and beyond and other areas along the highway,” the officer said.
According to Scott, the situation has become a serious road safety concern, especially at nights when visibility may already be compromised for motorists using the busy roadway.
“So, motorists need to pay keen attention or be more attentive when propelling a motor vehicle along the roadway,” he urged.
The traffic officer explained that ranks have been taking action whenever persons are found lying on the roadway.
“But those said persons, once the ranks call those persons along the roadway, must have action taken against them. We take them either to the Police station or get the family relative involved, and we deal with them from there onwards,” he explained.
The warning came as traffic ranks continued to address several road safety concerns affecting the East Bank Demerara corridor and the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, where extensive road construction is currently underway.
During the programme, Inspector Scott also appealed to motorists to slow down and exercise caution while traversing sections of the highway, particularly in areas affected by ongoing works.
“In relation to the lighting condition along the highway, it’s very lit. Take your time while proceeding along the Linden Highway,” he stated.
The Linden-Soesdyke Highway is one of Guyana’s busiest thoroughfares, linking Georgetown to interior communities, mining districts, and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
Police have repeatedly cautioned motorists against speeding and distracted driving along the roadway, warning that unexpected hazards, including pedestrians and intoxicated persons lying on the roadway, raise safety concerns.