Guyana sees lowest road fatalities in 39 years
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| Published on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 |
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GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Guyana police traffic department said that in a combined effort they were able to reduce road fatalities in 2008. A police release stated that during 2008 there were a total of 113 deaths resulting from accidents compared with 207 for the year 2007, a 45 percent reduction.
“There were 99 fatal accidents during 2008 compared with 169 during 2007, a reduction of 41 percent. Additionally, 7 children died on the roads during 2008, compared with 30 in the previous year, a 77 percent reduction, a check of the available records reveals also that the figures of 113 fatalities, including 7 children, resulting from 99 accidents are the lowest on record for the past 39 years,” the release said.
This may be so for an even longer period, but statistics for beyond 1969 have not yet been retrieved.
“This achievement was due to a combination of factors, including rigid traffic enforcement by the Guyana Police Force, especially through its zero tolerance ‘Operation Safeway’ throughout the country; traffic education via the media and in schools; the acquisition and use of radar guns which has had an impact on speeding, resulting in some level of compliance by motorists; and the enforcement of the law in relation to provisional drivers’ licences, with the licences being issued for two three- month periods, after which the holder has to successfully complete the learner-driver theoretical examination in order to continue being processed for a driver’s licence,” the release said.
Other positive factors were the increase in monetary fines for specific traffic offences where traffic tickets are issued, and the enacting of new legislation particularly as it relates to driving under the influence of alcohol and the non-use of mobile phones while driving. In addition, the police force has received meaningful support in dealing with traffic from the Ministry of Public Works, the National Road Safety Council and other stakeholders.
“As we continue into the year 2009, the Guyana Police Force is urging all categories of road- users to do so in observance of the five Cs – Care, Courtesy, Caution, Commonsense, and Consideration,” the release added.
Meanwhile, a 15-year old Number 10 Village, West Coast Berbice youth has become the country’s first road fatality for 2009 when he was struck by a speeding car on Monday while riding his bicycle in the village. | | | | Reads : 828 | | | |
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