Press Release

 

(7 October, 2020) – The Guyana National Road Safety Council and Clarke’s Production Inc. held a Press Conference to officially launch an enforcement campaign for improved safety and usage on our roadways.

 

A number of activities have been air marked to observe the October-November National Road Safety Campaign in partnership with the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department and other Road Safety Stakeholders. Some of which includes a launch of the Guyana National Road Safety theme 2020-2021 competition, observing World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2020, video production (Faces behind the figures), launch of defensive Road use campaign in partnership with the Office of the Prime Minister, Public Affairs, launch of Guyana National Road Safety week activities and virtual engineers conference.

 

In addressing the gathering, Hon. Bishop Juan A. Edghill stated the World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed road injuries as one of the top ten causes of death in lower to middle income countries. Therefore, the Government of Guyana is committed to ensuring that we provide adequate and effective roadways with safety being of utmost importance.

 

According to Minister Edghill, the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic administration had promised in their manifesto to implement an Urban Improvement Programme and we told the people of Guyana, that we would ‘hit the road fast’ but with our infrastructural works; not with speed on our roadways. Minister further noted he’s pleased to inform that they will be keeping those promises. More so, in the 2020 budget, funds have been allocated and identified vulnerable locations, that we intend to implement highway lighting; which is aimed at improving security for road users.

Minister Edghill further noted that for the 2021 budget, the Government will be allocating funds to install bicycle lanes where the space is available, highway lighting, improving the geometry to critical sections of our roads, additional traffic signs, traffic signals; improving of pedestrian crossings and pedestrian walkways.

 

Minister sought to highlight nine important things he expects to be addressed as it relates to road safety in Guyana, those include;

 

1. The use or excessive use of alcohol and its impact on road accidents which if not ends in fatality, ends with lots of persons being disabled and unable to work.

 

2. Speeding on our roadways.

 

3. Over worked drivers especially in the private sector and the public transportation providers. Minister noted, that a person cannot and should not be working 20/22 hours without rest. Minster is calling upon managers, human resource officers, owners of taxi services and owners of minibuses that have leased their vehicles to operators to operate must be mindful that they are not doing so to an overworked driver because if that is the case, you can expect damage to life, limp and damage to that vehicle.

 

4. Carelessness by drivers, Minister emphasized that we must enforce the charge for careless driving as persons sometimes have no regard in using the roadways with care. Minister Edghill noted that a person should not only be charged for careless driving when there is an accident but when there is no accident as well but the police had observed their mode of driving. According to Minister, mechanisms must be developed to assess, charge and successfully prosecute such carelessness.

 

5. The use of cellular phone while driving. Minister Edghill posited that there is sufficient technology available for persons to connect their phone to their vehicles without them taking their eyes off of the road to answer a call while driving. According to Minister, this is an opportunity for investment and to provide safety.

 

6. Petting and love playing while driving – It is a serious issue on our roads and on many occasions especially with our young people, this is unacceptable and such activities should not be conducted while driving since it endangers the lives of others, said Minister Edghill.

 

7. Undertaking on our roadways has become a normal phenomenon according to Minister, this must stop because as we seek to develop laned highways, there will be need for more public education about lane driving.

 

8. The amount of emergency vehicles that have been in accidents is a source of great concern. Minister Edghill noted, that somewhere along the line something must be done for those who are using the emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire and police vehicle, and for vehicle drivers who are hearing the siren sound to give way.

 

9. Persons who are selling at the corner of the roads but not limited to persons who dump sand, stone, debris and park vehicles on the corner of the road. Minister strongly posited that space left on the corner of the road is left there in the event of an emergency so driver can maneuver. But often times drivers cannot avoid head-on collisions because of obstructions on the corner of the road.