Road Deaths Demand Action Beyond Rhetoric and Policing

Dear Editor,

The alarming frequency of road fatalities in Guyana demands urgent national attention. This issue should not be confined to law enforcement and government pronouncements; rather, it must become a broad-based national conversation.

Civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, faith-based institutions, community groups, and individual citizens all have an essential role to play in finding sustainable and meaningful solutions. Every life lost on our roadways inflicts deep and lifelong pain on families, and the scale of this human suffering requires a more coordinated and committed response.

While the Commissioner of Police, His Excellency President Ali, and Minister Waldron have publicly committed to clamping down on speeding, the use of heavily tinted vehicles, and the improper acquisition of driver’s licences, measures they believe will bring the desired behavioural change, I am convinced that these actions, though important, are not enough.

We must move beyond rhetoric and partisan grandstanding. What Guyana needs is a holistic and evidence-based strategy that addresses the underlying cultural norms of road use. This requires intensified public education, sustained awareness campaigns, and continuous sensitisation efforts aimed at transforming attitudes and habits.

Additionally, while attention is often directed at motorists, we must not overlook the conduct of pedal cyclists and motorcyclists. Increasingly, many young riders are using public roads, including major highways, to perform dangerous stunts such as “wheelies,” placing themselves and other road users at significant risk.

The time has come for the Guyana Police Force and relevant agencies to study this growing trend carefully. Public consultations should be conducted to gather recommendations on how best to address these behaviours, which may ultimately require amendments to existing road legislation or the introduction of new regulations in the National Assembly.

Every day citizens leave their homes praying for God’s protection, fully aware of the dangers that await them on our roadways. This should not be the reality in a modern society.

I therefore appeal to the authorities to move beyond talk and implement stronger, consistent, and enforceable measures. Guyanese deserve safer roads, responsible road users, and leadership that prioritises decisive action over repeated promises.

Yours truly,
Annette Ferguson