“Slow down, stop the drinking and driving” – Pres Ali urges in busy Christmas season

With the holiday season officially underway, President Dr Irfaan Ali has issued a firm and urgent national appeal for responsible behaviour, especially on Guyana’s roadways, warning that the joy of Christmas means nothing if lives are lost through reckless actions such as speeding and drunk driving. Speaking on Friday evening at the launch of the One Guyana Christmas Village and Supermarket along Main Street Avenue, the President used his platform to deliver one of his strongest holiday safety messages to date. As thousands prepare for weeks of heightened travel, festivities and nightlife, he underscored that celebration must never come at the expense of human life. “As we celebrate this beautiful season, I urge you to celebrate responsibly, care for each other and keep safe first,” President Ali told the large crowd gathered along the festively decorated avenue. “Keep safety first as your guiding principle. Celebration means nothing if it does not preserve life. Be safe on the road. Slow down.” Reiterating his warning, the President called on drivers to make sober and prayerful decisions before getting behind the wheel. “Slow down. Life is more valuable arriving alive. Stop the drinking and driving,” he appealed. “Your family wants you home alive. Stop. Stop it. Stop putting other people’s life at danger.” President Ali reminded citizens that road safety is not merely an individual choice but a shared national responsibility. “You, we, collectively have a responsibility. Let us do this for our children, other people’s children, our family and other people’s families,” he said, urging Guyanese to consider the painful ripple effects of a single negligent act.
Back in November, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, Traffic Chief, revealed that “Speeding alone has accounted for more than at least 85 of our fatal accidents for 2025,” with 49 motorcyclists, 25 pedestrians, 15 drivers and seven vehicle occupants already losing their lives on local roads. Additionally, more than 640 people have lost their lives on the country’s roadways in the past five years, including 24 children. The breakdown of accidents and loss of lives on the roadways showed that in 2020 there were 125 accidents and 139 deaths; 2021: 92 accidents and 97 deaths; 2022: 92 accidents and 99 deaths; 2023: 148 accidents and 175 deaths; and 2024: 117 accidents and 132 deaths. Beyond road safety, the President encouraged Guyanese to embrace the deeper meaning of the holiday season – connection, compassion and presence. “Share your time, your prayers, and your kindness,” he urged. “Make this season one of connection and community. Give the greatest gift by your presence. Be present in your neighbourhood. Be present in your family. Be present in your children. Be present in your community. Be present as a good human being.”