Region Three records decline in road fatalities

…as Police call for revived multi-agency transport oversight

Region Three has recorded a notable decline in road fatalities and serious accidents since the start of the year, a development traffic officials attribute to intensified enforcement, targeted road safety campaigns, and sustained public education efforts.
This information was relayed by Inspector C Roberts during a Road Safety and You programme conducted by the Guyana Police Force.
“Yes, my area of responsibility presently is very quiet in terms of accidents. We had a reduction in fatal and serious accidents over the period from the 4th of January to date, in comparison to the same time last year, so we’re doing fairly well,” Inspector Roberts said in response to a question.
According to the inspector, the reduction was achieved through a combination of enforcement and education.

“We achieved this by hard work and dedication – enforcement, lectures to drivers, lectures to all categories of road users, and a rigid campaign targeting certain offences such as driving without a safety helmet and speeding, which is a main contributing factor in accidents countrywide. We also target drinking and driving, so we’re doing fairly well in my area of responsibility so far,” he explained.
Meanwhile, a Police Sergeant from Regional Division 4A, who was also present on the programme, reported that his area of responsibility has experienced a slight increase in accidents. He outlined that the division spans from Bel Air Road in the east – located near the Rubis Gas Station adjacent to the Rupert Craig Highway – to Vlissengen Road in the west, Rupert Craig Road and the Atlantic Ocean to the north, and the South Road Canal to GWI in the south.
He noted that there has been an increase in accidents, particularly along Delhi Street, which was recently repaved and reconstructed.
“We’ve had a slight surge in accidents, especially in areas like Delhi Street. However, we are working assiduously by conducting speed enforcement in those areas, as speeding is the main cause of accidents there. We are also focusing on truck drivers along Sheriff Street, who are frequently involved in accidents in my area,” the Sergeant said.
He added that Police continue to conduct lectures targeting truck drivers, cyclists, and other road users, noting that many cyclists involved in accidents sustain serious injuries due to failing to wear safety helmets.

Renewed multi-agency oversight to protect commuters
Meanwhile, a senior Police official also raised concerns about unfair minibus fare practices, stressing the need for renewed multi-agency oversight to protect commuters, particularly low-income families. He noted that many passengers operate within tight household budgets and are often overcharged, citing instances where commuters paid as much as $1000 for routes where the approved fare should have been $200.
The official explained that in previous years, complaints were channelled through the Consumer Affairs Department under the Tourism Ministry, where a coordinated approach involving the Police, road safety authorities, and minibus operators helped address fare-related issues. He recalled that around 2019–2020, stakeholders had agreed on a standardised fare structure, but enforcement has since weakened.
According to the officer, fare structures should be visibly displayed inside minibuses to ensure transparency for both locals and visitors. However, since the departure of the former Director of Consumer Affairs, he observed a rise in unresolved complaints, with commuters often being redirected without meaningful follow-up.
While acknowledging that minibus operators face rising operational costs – estimated to have increased by more than 50 per cent since 2019 – the official emphasised that unchecked fare hikes ultimately burden passengers. He argued that some level of Government intervention is necessary, whether through stronger enforcement, subsidies on key vehicle parts, or the reintroduction of undercover monitoring by Consumer Affairs staff.
He concluded by calling for a revived multi-stakeholder forum involving Government agencies, law enforcement, and transport operators to holistically address fare regulation and restore balance between operators’ costs and commuters’ financial realities.