Statics have shown that 85 persons have this year been killed from 79 accidents countrywide. This is an increase from 2021, when, during the same period, there were 79 fatalities from 73 accidents. This increase reflects a 66 per cent increase of road deaths among children.
The statistics have revealed that 2022, which still has over two months remaining, has a high road fatality rate.
These statistics come at a time when Guyanese continue to express concerns over the number of accidents that have occurred on the country’s roadways.
A common theme appears to be the unnecessary taking of risks and speed, factors often lamented as causes.
The shock, concern and caution that historically follow a fatal accident seem to be fleeting, and the major contributory factors are seemingly swiftly resumed, despite public outcry. However, given that those accidents are occurring on our roadways, and judging from sentiments expressed on social media, it seems that a large number of Guyanese are outraged, and are calling for drivers to slow down.
While that is encouraging, only time will tell if public pressure would indeed make a positive impact. Social media wields tremendous influence, and traffic violations by some irresponsible drivers have been captured, and have attracted the attention of the Police.
There were instances when some drivers imbibed alcoholic beverages while in the process of transporting members of the public. The conductors randomly stick their hands out to demand that the bus be allowed to cut in front of vehicles, without considering the risk involved.
The said drivers literally drive on the parapets at times to illegally undertake, just to avoid staying in lanes and to reach their destinations within the shortest possible time. They also blatantly block turning lanes while ignoring the pleading horns.
The end result is that those who respect the traffic laws are made to spend a much longer time commuting, and are left at the mercy of those inconsiderate drivers. This in no way suggests that all minibus drivers are reckless; however, many are noticeable offenders across the country. Sadly, their unacceptable behaviour has been allowed to continue, seemingly encouraged by both the travelling public and the Police, to an extent.
While some passengers have objected to the overall despicable behaviour of minibus operators, and were in the process abused, there is an urgent needed for a collective and robust approach to denounce what has unfortunately become a culture of disrespect of both passengers and traffic laws.
There are times when the Police intervene, and commendations must be given; however, there is a lack of much-needed consistency, not just for the minibus drivers in question, but for all others.
The situation has worsened, and will further decline if no meaningful and sustained intervention is made.
It is in this vein that the joint highway safety video campaign, which was launched on Tuesday by the Public Works Ministry and the Inter-American Development Bank, is most welcome, as it targets vulnerable road users.
There is no doubt that investments – including pedestrian sidewalks, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, road markings and traffic signs – have been made to aid vulnerable road users, but excessive speeding and recklessness on our roadways continue unabated.
We support Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, who on Tuesday said: “No one should lose their lives on the road. Road safety is important”, and we support the new road safety campaign.
