“Speeding is a choice, drunk driving is a choice” — Minister Walrond

– urges citizens to take responsibility on the roads

Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond has stressed that every individual carries a measure of responsibility in preventing road accidents, urging citizens to make the right choices and take accountability for their actions on the roads.
She made these remarks during the Road Safety Awareness Walk 2025, held under the theme “Careful Driving Saves Lives,” which was held on Sunday.
According to the Minister, citizens should not adopt the mindset of wanting to go down a path where accidents are inevitable.
“I believe that every accident, every incident, carries some measure of responsibility. When we examine these events, we can always ask, ‘If only this decision had been made differently, if only that driver had acted differently, then this accident would not have happened.’”
Minister Walrond highlighted that while there are mitigating factors and measures of culpability, every individual must accept responsibility for their actions. “Each one of us still has responsibilities when these accidents happen, and we should be held accountable for them all,” she said.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to road safety, emphasising support for victims of road accidents and their families. She stated that, on behalf of His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the government honours the victims, continues to assist their families, and recognises that such accidents are tragedies that can be prevented.
The Minister outlined several measures the government is taking to reduce road accidents. These include strengthening law enforcement, expanding road safety education, improving infrastructure, and deploying technology to monitor traffic violations.
“Under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, the Traffic Chief has taken bold steps to ensure accountability on the roads, and he has the full support of our government,” Minister Walrond said. “We are expanding road safety education across the country. Every day I see photographs and reports from the regions showing officers educating children, marketplace vendors, and the general public. These are not activities in a vacuum; they are practical steps to raise awareness.”
She also emphasised infrastructure improvements, including the installation of thousands of street lights, clearer road markings, and safer pedestrian crossings. “We are deploying technology to detect and deter reckless behaviour. Police can now monitor traffic from the command centre, which has already led to significant successes,” Minister Walrond said.
Minister Walrond reminded the public that policy and law alone cannot change behaviour. “Policy can guide us, but it cannot drive our actions. Responsibility rests with each individual. Speeding is a choice. Drunk driving is a choice. Using a cell phone while driving is a choice. Impatience is a choice. We all know these things, but we must make the right choices every time we are on the road,” she said.
She concluded by urging every citizen to reflect on their role in road safety. “Every decision we make behind the wheel, on a motorcycle, or as a pedestrian can impact families, friends, and our own loved ones. The power to prevent accidents lies with all of us,” Minister Walrond said.
Only recently, on November 8 Guyana times reported that Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips called on all Guyanese to make road safety a daily practice rather than a once-a-year campaign, noting that more than 640 people have lost their lives on the country’s roadways in the past five years, including 24 children.