By Mark DaCosta- According to official statistics, 2023 could be one of the worst years ever for road accidents and deaths. A senior police officer with whom this publication spoke said, “Sadly, it seems that we may break road accident records this year; we are right on track to break fatality records,” the officer lamented.
According to statistics from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), there have been 109 road deaths better January 1 and August 28, 2023, as a result of 91 road accidents. Those deaths included 3 children. This year’s deaths represent more than a 60 percent increase over last year’s numbers. In the same period in 2022, there were 62 accidents causing 68 deaths.
With regard to road deaths, this year started off on the wrong foot; between January 1 and February 18, the GPF reported a 100 percent increase in fatal accidents compared with last year. By July 1, road deaths had reached 75 as a result of 65 accidents. By comparison, the 2022 figures were 27 fatalities from 24 accidents.
According to local reports, the majority of road accidents happen between Mondays and Thursdays during the hours of darkness. Additionally, the GPF notes a sharp upsurge in deaths of motorcyclists and pillion riders.
Regarding electric bikes, between 2021 and now, 11 people have been killed and 14 others have be seriously injured in accidents involving the bikes.
Speaking about the spiralling numbers, and warning Guyanese to be cautious, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill said, “Speed racing belongs on the circuit. In the last few weeks, persons younger and older, males and females, have lost their lives on the roads due to accidents reportedly caused by speeding, coupled with alcohol consumption in some instances,” he said.
“There is a level of irresponsibility that is practised by many drivers today, and one has to wonder if this is the cost of development. The Government, through the Ministry of Public Works, wishes to make clear that while the country’s road infrastructural programme is extensive, you, the citizens, are the country’s greatest assets. Therefore, all of us have a responsibility to ensure the roadways are safe through correct and lawful use. We must practice safety first.”
On the same subject, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn said, “We are concerned about inconsistencies, aberrations in the way people behave. We have been requiring, demanding more to be done in respect of speeding, drunk driving, impaired driving, whether it’s drugs or cellphone use.”
According to reports, experts agree that the leading causes of accidents in our part of the world are: speeding, driving under the influence, trying to avoid potholes, poor weather conditions, night driving, distractions, reckless conduct, running red lights, disregard for one way streets, and vehicle mechanical defects.
Village Voice News urges road users to be cautious and responsible when using Guyana’s roadways.
