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The pressing traffic issues across the country are concerning. How can we minimize or eliminate the frequent tragedies on our roads?
The staggering loss of life resulting from accidents on our roads is deeply distressing. It is disheartening to hear of yet another road fatality on the news every day. So many lives are needlessly lost due to reckless driving and pedestrian misjudgment. Can we proactively prevent these incidents?
Speeding is a pervasive issue among motorists in Guyana, despite road signs, speed bumps in certain areas, and visible traffic police even in remote regions. Why, then, do accidents continue to occur at such an alarming rate?
Some drivers dangerously overtake vehicles, endangering pedestrians and forcing them to navigate treacherously close to drains and trenches. In several instances, pedestrians are left with minimal space to walk on.
The cargo trucks, often referred to as container trucks, transporting goods at rapid rates frequently maintain high speeds. Can one imagine cargo being hauled at speeds exceeding 80 kilometers per hour, often with 20-foot containers or longer?
These “bullies” of the roadway, the container trucks, exhibit aggressive driving behavior, occupying substantial space and, tragically, endangering lives due to a lack of caution. Can we simply turn a blind eye to such behavior, waiting for the next accident to happen?
Citing information disclosed by a Senior Police Officer to Mark DaCosta in Village Voice, it was revealed that 2023 is on track to be the worst year for road accidents and fatalities.
According to statistics provided by the Guyana Police Force, there were 109 recorded road fatalities between January and August of 2023, tragically including three children. This marks a staggering sixty percent surge compared to the same period in 2022, which saw 68 deaths and 62 reported accidents.
The longstanding issue of minibus conduct has remained a persistent concern. Despite numerous discussions, many minibus drivers persist in speeding, playing loud music, overloading their vehicles, and using cell phones while driving. Additionally, it has been observed that they often leave their ignitions on while refueling at gas stations.
Regrettably, some minibus drivers exhibit rudeness towards passengers, often stating, “If you don’t want to squeeze in, take a taxi” or “If you don’t want loud music, get off the bus.” Such disrespectful behavior has become commonplace among these drivers and conductors.
Beyond these pressing issues, walkways are frequently obstructed by parked vehicles, encroaching on space intended for pedestrians. Cyclists can be seen riding on the wrong side of the road, while motorcyclists neglect to wear protective headgear. Furthermore, the presence of animals on roadways and malfunctioning traffic lights adds to the hazardous road conditions.
Frequently, drivers fail to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, displaying a lack of courtesy towards those awaiting an opportunity to cross the road. One might wonder, are these road users unfamiliar with the established rules of the road? Care, caution, consideration, common sense, and courtesy should embody the essence of defensive driving, actively reducing the likelihood of accidents and road rage.
According to the World Health Organization’s “Decade for Action for Road Safety 2011-2021” (Factsheet):
- 90% of global road fatalities occur in low and middle-income countries, despite these countries possessing approximately 54% of the world’s vehicles.
- Nearly half of those perishing on the roads are categorized as “vulnerable road users”: pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
- Road traffic accidents cost most nations approximately 3% of their gross domestic product.
- Road traffic injuries impose significant economic burdens on individuals, families, and entire nations. These burdens arise from treatment costs, lost productivity for the injured or deceased, and the need for family members to take time off work or school to care for the injured.
Preventing road traffic injuries is possible, but it requires governments to address road safety comprehensively. This necessitates the participation of various sectors such as transportation, law enforcement, healthcare, and education, implementing measures that enhance the safety of roads, vehicles, and road users.
Effective interventions include the implementation of safer infrastructure, integrating road safety features into land-use and transportation planning, enhancing vehicle safety features, improving post-crash care for road accident victims, enforcing laws pertaining to key risks, and raising public awareness.
We earnestly implore the Guyana Government and the Guyana Police Force to prioritize road safety. The populace needs to be educated on proper roadway usage, adherence to road signs, defensive driving practices, and the importance of consideration, while discouraging speeding and road rage. Only through such collective efforts can all road users ensure their safe arrival at their destinations.
