Reg 6 records drop in road accidents for 2023 – Traffic Officer

– outlines plan for safer roads in 2024

In a recent interview on an episode of ‘Police and You’, Assistant Superintendent Charles Hooke, the Traffic Officer for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), had said there has been a 29 per cent decrease in accidents in the region for 2023, when compared to the year 2022. He noted that the number of fatal accidents had declined from 19 in 2022 to 16 as at December 2023.
Looking ahead to 2024, Hooke emphasized the continued commitment of the Region Six Traffic Department to improving road safety through strategic plans. He referred to plans to enhance educational efforts by conducting lectures for motorists and increasing outreaches to schools.
Enforcement exercises would also be focused on, in order to ensure a safer driving environment, Hooke has said.
“We are going to ensure that we put our best foot forward… we will be working with our strategic plan; and, come next year, we will improve…”
Acknowledging the unique challenges that Region Six faces, such as ongoing road construction and the frequent presence of animals on the roadways, he has urged drivers to exercise caution, slow down, and remain vigilant to prevent tragic accidents.
“Slow down! Just slow down and drive, and look out for these things on the road”, Hooke has urged.
He noted that drinking-and-driving continues to pose a challenge in Region Six, and, as such, has expressed the need to intensify efforts to curb this dangerous behaviour. Nevertheless, he is pleading with drivers to prioritise road safety.
“We still see a lot of people drinking and driving…however, our posture as it relates to our campaign to curb that situation (is that) we will continue that campaign”, he said.
Hooke’s dedication to enhancing road safety, and his strategic plans for the future signal a positive direction for Region Six, fostering hope for further improvements in the coming year.
Only two months ago, Police in Region Six had initiated a rigorous warrant drive in response to a concerning increase in traffic violations. The warrant drive is aimed at apprehending individuals evading the legal consequences of traffic infractions. In 2023, there had been a staggering rise in traffic violations: 12949 cases. In 2022, there were just 4763 cases. Hooke highlighted that a significant number of offenders were avoiding legal penalties by either failing to attend court, or neglecting to pay fines.
Hooke is urging individuals to adhere to speed limits, avoid distractions, and refrain from driving under the influence. He has emphasised that responsible driving is key to ensuring the safety of all residents.