The Guyana Police Force reported today that since the start of this year, there have been 205 road accidents involving trucks, representing a more than 30% increase over last year’s figures.

The information from the Police came in response to a query from News Source.

Of the 205 accidents involving trucks, 18 of them resulted in the loss of lives.

In 2023, a total of 158 road accidents involving trucks were recorded on the country’s roadways.

With the country experiencing a construction and building boom, there has been a massive increase in the importation of heavy duty trucks as construction companies go after major government and private sector contracts.

Just recently, the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, revealed that the number of registered trucks on the country’s roadways has more than doubled within the past three years. At the time, he also noted that 75% of road accidents in Guyana are caused by speeding. He promised stiffer penalties to tackle the lawlessness on the country’s roadways.

The situation with the heavy duty trucks speeding along the roadways daily has triggered widespread concern across the country. Almost daily, there are road accidents involving the large trucks.

There have been calls for the drivers to undergo specialized training and for the trucks to be restricted to road use at a specific speed and at various times of the day.

While some truck drivers have been brought in from overseas to meet the demand, the majority of drivers appear to be Guyanese, who may have very little professional training in the operation of the larger trucks.

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