Guyana’s roads have become deadly. With an alarming rise in fatal accidents, it is clear that a culture of recklessness and disregard for the law has taken root. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill’s recent call for stricter enforcement and the revocation of drivers’ licences, particularly of errant public transport operators, is both timely and necessary. It is high time that the safety of people is prioritized over the convenience of irresponsible drivers.
Edghill highlighted a disturbing trend in which drivers blatantly ignore traffic laws and engage in reckless behaviour, endangering lives in the process. These drivers, many of whom operate minibuses and other forms of public transport, are tasked with ferrying citizens —schoolchildren, workers and families — yet they show a shocking disregard for the very lives they transport. The minister’s own experience of witnessing a minibus with children on board recklessly mounting a concrete walkway in a bid to overtake other vehicles illustrates the perilous situation on Guyana’s roads. This irresponsible behaviour is not just a threat to lives, but also to public infrastructure. The billions of taxpayers’ dollars spent annually to maintain and rehabilitate roads, bridges, and other public structures are being wasted, as reckless drivers destroy them with impunity. For a country striving towards development, this is unacceptable.
The statistics are staggering. In August, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) revealed a 20 percent increase in fatal accidents involving motor trucks and lorries in 2024, a sign that the situation is spiralling out of control. This year alone, we have seen too many lives having been snuffed out in senseless accidents that could have been prevented. Over just three days, at least four lives were lost, families were torn apart and communities were left grieving, and yet the reckless behaviour continues.
Minister Edghill is right to assert that no amount of infrastructure, be it speed bumps, bike lanes, or walkways, would work if there is no corresponding cultural shift towards road safety. While physical deterrents like these can help, the core of the problem lies in the attitude of many drivers. Until drivers understand that the road is not their personal playground, where they can flout the rules without consequence, we would continue to see these tragic incidents.
This is where revoking licences becomes essential. Public transport drivers hold an immense responsibility. When they abuse that privilege and put lives at risk, they should no longer be entrusted with that responsibility. The threat of losing their licences should serve as a wake-up call, reminding them that their actions have real consequences.
Critics may argue that revoking licences is too harsh, or that it may disproportionately affect livelihoods. However, the cost of inaction is far greater. Lives are being lost, and families are suffering. Public transport operators, by virtue of their profession, should be held to higher standards. They are entrusted with the safety of multiple lives each day, and if they repeatedly fail to demonstrate responsible driving, they should be stripped of that trust.
Beyond revocation, there must also be better enforcement. It is heartening that Minister Edghill plans to engage the Home Affairs Ministry and the Guyana Police Force in tackling this issue. However, enforcement cannot be a one-off initiative; it must be consistent, widespread, and unforgiving. The GPF must crack down on errant drivers and ensure that penalties are swiftly applied. This is not about creating a culture of fear, but a culture of accountability.
Moreover, road safety education needs to be emphasized. While punitive measures are crucial, there must also be efforts to educate drivers, especially young and aspiring ones, on the importance of road safety and the grave responsibilities that come with driving. Schools, driving schools, and public awareness campaigns should all be part of a broader strategy to instill a safety-first mindset in our road users.
The rise in fatal accidents is a national issue that demands urgent and decisive action. Revoking licences is a strong and necessary step in curbing this dangerous trend. It sends a clear message that recklessness on the roads will not be tolerated, and that the lives of Guyanese citizens are too precious to be put at risk by irresponsible drivers. We support Minister Edghill’s call for accountability and working towards a safer, more responsible road culture in Guyana.
