Nighttime reckless driving contributing to road deaths

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has announced that most fatal accidents are occurring at night, as reckless driving surges when police presence is lower. The revelation was made during the “Road Safety and You,” programme on Friday.
Speaking on the programme, Traffic Officer of Regional Division 4B, East Bank Demerara (EBD) Inspector Ramdas highlighted that a pattern has emerged in which road users disregard speed limits and safety measures once night falls.
“If you follow the pattern of fatal accidents, most of these fatal accidents happen in the night, from like 6 to 12 or 1, 2 o’clock in the afternoon or early in the morning,” Inspector Ramdas stated.
He explained that during the day, ongoing road construction slows down traffic, reducing the likelihood of serious crashes. However, at night, with fewer vehicles and no active construction work, drivers take advantage of the open roads, often leading to disastrous consequences.

Comparing last year’s road deaths to this year, the Inspector confirmed that the numbers have already tripled. “From last year, we had one single fatal accident to date. From this year, from January to date, we have had three fatal accidents,” he revealed.
Authorities are pleading with drivers to reduce their speed and exercise caution, especially in construction zones.
“We have seen an increase in accidents, and I am begging road users to slow down. Take your time on the road. The road is under construction. There’s a lot of potholes that have water and all these things. Slow down. Take your time on the road. Use the road with caution and save a life,” the Inspector urged.
Despite efforts by law enforcement to educate drivers and crack down on reckless driving, some continue to put their lives and others at risk. Traffic officers continue to monitor high-risk areas, but they stress that road safety ultimately depends on individual responsibility.
In a bid to curb speeding and enhance road safety, the Guyana Police Force (GPF), in collaboration with the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), has recently installed speed radar signs along several highways.
According to Traffic Chief Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, these radars act as a preventative measure, alerting drivers in real-time when they exceed the speed limit, allowing them to adjust accordingly.
Singh emphasised that the initiative is not intended to capture photos of speeding vehicles but to help motorists, especially those unfamiliar with certain areas, maintain safe speeds.
This project forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to use technology and data to improve traffic management. It follows President Dr Irfaan Ali’s announcement last December about erecting digital speed advisories and ramping up enforcement with body cameras for traffic ranks and CCTV footage to catch errant drivers.