Some motorcyclists believe they are “superman” – commander

…says most accidents in Region 6 caused by motorcyclists

Region Six Police Commander, Senior Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus, is cautioning motorcyclists to use their vehicles in a manner conducive to good road practices while using the roads.
His comments came on Tuesday as he revealed traffic statistics for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). Of the scores of serious accidents that occurred for the year so far in Region Six, Commander Bacchus said, the majority of them involved motorcycles.
For the year so far, 18 persons have lost their lives on the roadways in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). This is compared to 16 for the corresponding period last year. The 18 lives were lost from a total of 15 road accidents.
A total of 151 accidents have been reported to the Police so far this year, compared with 174 for the same period last year. Of those classified as serious, 22 were reported for this year, as against 37 for the same period last year, representing a 43 percent decrease.
Six of the 15 fatal accidents recorded this year have resulted from speeding; four have resulted from driving under the influence of alcohol, and four have resulted from inattentiveness.
Of those killed on the roads for this year, only one is female. For this year, 10 motorcyclists have lost their lives in the region, compared with four for the corresponding period last year.
“Why the motorcyclists? Because some of them feel they are Superman and… superheroes – ‘stat boys’; they are stunt-makers. They are lying down on the motorcycle and popping; riding in a dangerous manner in front of vehicles,” the commander said, while noting that motorcyclists are the main contributing factor for the increase in fatal accidents as at 2023.

Bar owners
Meanwhile, Commander Bacchus said Police officers have been visiting bars and asking owners to pay attention to how much alcohol they sell and serve patrons who would be driving home. Bacchus, however, noted that more of that activity needs to be done in terms of engagement with bar owners.
So far this year, there have been 18 road deaths in the region – 10 being motorcyclists. This compares with 16 for the corresponding period last year. The 18 lives were lost from a total of 15 road accidents. The commander said the police traffic department is taking a proactive approach to reduce carnage on the roadways, noting that the force has embarked on the use of the entertainment industry to get its message out.
“Especially when they have big social events, so as to encourage road users to be cautious and don’t drink and drive. We are using plainclothes Police to spot errant road users. We have found that not only in this region, but throughout Guyana, there are road users who are not courteous and don’t use the five ‘Cs’, and want to fight with others for very little issues.
“We are also engaging the owners and operators of electric bikes, informing them of the Police and what they need to do in order to acquire their licences and so forth,” Bacchus said.
Worrying, the Commander added, is the way persons who are doing construction use the roadway. “What we have in the construction areas, especially on the major roads, is that we found that persons are doing the stockpiling of materials. If it is to develop the street in the village, they are stockpiling their material on the roadway, causing hindrance to other road users. It is an offence, and we are asking contractors to desist from this practice.” (G4)