Region 2 RDC concerned about increase in road accidents

… calls for removal of derelict vehicles from road shoulders

Councillors from the Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) have called on Police from G Division (Essequibo Coast-Island) to be more vigilant and step up the Force’s driving under the influence (DUI) campaigns.

At the Council’s recent statutory meeting for the month of May, Councillors said Region Two is too small a region to have 13 road fatalities, as such, more needs to be done by the traffic department. These comments were made in connection to the recent deaths of two young motorcyclists who lost their lives along the public road. Both motorcyclists died as a result of injuries sustained after crashing into parked derelict vehicles on the road shoulders.

Head of the RDC, Devanand Ramdatt suggested that a road safety council committee be formed as a positive approach towards dealing with road safety within the region.

At the same meeting, the Regional Chairman also suggested that People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Councillor Showkat Ali chair that committee. Speaking on road safety, Ramdatt said young people are losing their lives carelessly on the road due to speeding and drunk driving. As such, he called on the traffic department to step up its DUI campaigns as a way of curbing the issue. He also called for a more collective effort from major stakeholders in dealing with the issue.

Derelict vehicles

Councillors have also called for the removal of all equipment and vehicles that are encroaching the road shoulders. According to Government Councillor Naithram, the derelict vehicles are impeding traffic and often lives are lost. Naithram therefore called on the committee to examine ways in which the issue can be dealt with.

PPP Councillor Basil Persaud said the Police need to also clamp down on the playing of loud music, heavily tinted vehicles and drunk driving. He said minibus drivers are the ones that are carelessly driving on the roadways.

Police presence

Government Councillor Dacia Jones also calls for more traffic Police to be placed in front of schools, especially in the Good Hope Pomona area. Jones said whenever the ferry arrives, vehicles disembarking would normally speed to get off, explaining there is a school nearby. She therefore suggested that a Police Officer be placed in the area around peak hours to regulate traffic.

Another Councillor Samad Baksh also called for a review in the speed limit along the Essequibo coast.

Head of the Traffic Department in Essequibo Coast, Alfred Park, who was allowed to speak after the standing order was amended, said it is the responsibility of the regional administration through the Regional Executive Officer, to address the issue of derelict vehicles. Park however said that the traffic department will work in close collaboration to have the issue of DUIs and speeding addressed. He also said Region Two recorded 13 road fatalities for 2016. (Indrawattie Natram)