Some 50 persons have died on our roadways since January to April 24, 2023 in just one month into the second quarter of the year. Time and time again this newspaper has expressed shocked over the road carnage.
This carnage is taking place on our roadways even as amendments were made to our Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act to provide harsher penalties for traffic offences. Amendments were also initiated to the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Bill with a view to toughening up the penalties for drunk drivers – and the bars that serve them
We support President Dr Irfaan Ali when he said on Thursday at the opening of the GPF’s Annual Police Officers’ Conference that this is as a result of “pure recklessness” and called for strategies to be implemented to curb the high fatality rate on our roadways.
To quote the head of state: “It is also pure recklessness and stupidity from those who risk their lives and families. More importantly, putting other families’ lives as risk with their reckless behaviour. This must stop!…we passed legislation to make bar owners and bartenders accountable also, not just the drivers. There is a clear guideline in bars where announcement must be made in relation to serving alcohol to drivers. We must implement this legislation.”
Historically, the shock, concern and caution that follow a fatal accident seem to be fleeting, and the major contributary factors are seemingly swiftly resumed despite public outcry. However, given that those accidents are occurring on our roadways, and judging from sentiments expressed on social media, a large number of Guyanese are outraged and are calling for drivers to slow down.
While that is encouraging, only time will tell if public pressure would indeed make a positive impact. Social media wields tremendous influence, and traffic violations by some irresponsible drivers have been captured and attracted the attention of the Police.
There were instances when some drivers imbibe alcoholic beverages while in the process of transporting members of the public. The conductors randomly stick their hands out to demand that the bus be allowed to cut in front of vehicles, without considering the risk involved.
The said drivers literally drive on the parapets at times to illegally undertake, just to avoid staying in lanes and to reach their destinations within the shortest possible time. They also blatantly block turning lanes while ignoring the pleading horns.
The end result is that those who respect the traffic laws are made to spend much longer commuting, and are left at the mercy of those inconsiderate drivers. This in no way suggests that all minibus drivers are reckless; however, many are noticeable offenders across the country. Sadly, their unacceptable behaviour has been allowed to continue for too long.
While some passengers have objected to the overall despicable behaviour of minibus operators, and were in the process abused, there is an urgent needed for a collective and robust approach to denounce what has unfortunately become a culture of disrespect to both passengers and traffic laws.
There are times when the Police intervene, and commendations must be given; however, there is a lack of much-needed consistency, not just for the minibus drivers in question, but for all road users and drivers.
The situation has worsened, and will further decline if no meaningful and sustained intervention is made.
There should be consideration for more stringent mechanisms, including raising the required age to obtain a licence to drive a minibus or taxi, and higher costs. Penalties for traffic violations must be more punitive, possibly even for minor offences.
The bottom line is that this issue must be addressed immediately and holistically, since a lack of sustained action would be continually interpreted as encouragement for the lawlessness.
We agree with the President Ali when he said: “Every day, with the aid of technology, we have hundreds of infractions. A modern society is not only built on modern infrastructure. It is one where people think better, act better and behave better.” Also we join in his call for a countrywide massive road safety education campaign.
