Dear Editor,
We, the Cooperative Republicans of Guyana (CRG), offer our heartfelt condolences to all of those impacted by the loss of the precious lives recently taken from us.
Road safety has been an ongoing concern since the beginning of the transition from the TATA buses to the minibus system. This may not be the reason for the fatalities in this instance, but one doesn’t have to look far to see the signs encouraging overconsumption of alcohol: not one, but two bottles pouring rum into a glass.
We must shift towards a safer form of enjoying our newfound wealth. As a community, we should be willing to work together to get this problem resolved, and to do so would require that we each make sacrifices for the safety of us all.
With this in mind, Government should implement a temporary curfew, effective immediately, at bars and on the roadways. Additional traffic lights must be put in place to reduce opportunities for speeding, and Police traffic stops to conduct breathalyzer testing for alcohol must also be implemented in high-accident areas. A campaign against drunk driving must also be started posthaste.
To ensure that drivers are within the limits of the law, additional outreaches and breathalyzer checks should be carried out at the end of, or upon exiting, major events or popular drinking establishments and clubs. Bar owners can help by limiting the number of drinks a patron may have within an hour.
A ‘designated driver’ programme which restricts the designated driver from drinking has been a proven success. In the absence of a designated driver, the rule of one drink per hour should be used. Taxi availability for those who have overconsumed should also be a part of this road fatality reduction strategy.
It is extremely painful for the family, the neighbourhood and the country when our loved ones are taken away before their time. Please support the nation and any additional efforts made to reduce road fatalities by taking your time to stay safe on the roadways, and by avoiding driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
We extend our deepest condolences to the affected families. May the GPF and the Government quickly find and eliminate the root causes of road deaths.
It is better to get home late than to never arrive; so, if you feel like you are losing control behind the wheel, STOP AND TAKE A FIVE, OR CALL SOMEONE TO PICK YOU UP. Stay safe and be well.
Sincerely,
Jamil Changlee,
Chairman of CRG
