PM wants more traffic ranks with radar guns and breathalyzers

Even as the Government tries to shoot down allegations that one of its own Ministers was drunk driving when he slammed into another car, Guyana’s Prime Minister Samuel Hinds wants more Traffic Officers to be equipped with Breathalyzers and radar guns.

Just recently, the Government admitted that in the entire Guyana, the Police Force only had three functioning breathalyzer kits. A business place has since donated 15 more of those kits.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who was the key-note speaker at a consultation on the traffic situation in the country said that the call for a reduction of road accidents is a call for a change of attitude among the citizenry; challenging them to be better. He asserted that one of the measures that must be taken to ease congestion in the City is the removal of parking on roads and streets, particularly those located in the busiest areas.

He said that this would require new businesses and buildings that are being constructed to make provisions for parking. With regards to stricter enforcement, the Prime Minister said that every police officer dealing with traffic on the road should be armed with a breathalyzer, radar guns and a firm commitment to stamp out dangerous/reckless driving.

He also suggested that warning lights be installed in strategic locations to inform drivers that they are approaching a pedestrian crossing. He added that as the country’s wealth increases, more money should be dedicated, individually and as a nation, to improve infrastructure so as to alleviate challenges such as congestion.

In early January, the Home Affairs Ministry announced the division of Georgetown into four quadrants with effect from March. The four quadrants are: North West, North East, South East and South West. This decision was taken following a comprehensive analysis of traffic congestion by the National Commission on Law and Order (NCLO,) which held discussions with stakeholders.

A massive awareness campaign is planned for the rolling out of this project. This will include a traffic chopper over the City to help people navigate the new routes via a broadcast on all of the FM radio stations.

There will also be live cameras installed at strategic points in the City that will feed live footage to a website. Citizens could then log on the website on their computers, mobile phones and other devices to see what the traffic is like in a particular area.

Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee said that the overall aim of this conference to bring together as many stakeholders as possible, to exchange ideas and experiences, make constructive criticisms and recommendations and engage in frank and open discussions on the issue of road safety.

He said that the unnecessary loss of life on the roadways diminishes the country’s human resource capacity. The Minister called on citizens to take a more proactive stance against reckless drivers. He also called on the Guyana Police Force to be more vigilant and stringent in terms of enforcing the laws.

“We must learn to fulfill our civic duties under the constitution…you have nothing to lose, but you may save a life,” Minister Rohee said.

At the end of last year, there was an increase of two road fatalities compared to 2012, with 112 fatalities from 103 accidents. Nevertheless, there has been a reduction of damage accidents (wreckage); while serious and minor accidents saw increases of six percent and five percent respectively.

Pedestrians have been the main road users affected with 39 such persons having lost their lives at the end of 2013. Additionally, 18 motor cyclists, 13 pedal cyclists, 17 drivers of other motor vehicles, three pillion riders and 22 passengers of motor vehicles also lost their lives.

Speeding continues to be a major contributing factor to fatal accidents and was the cause of 72 of the 103 fatal accidents recorded for the period under review. Moreover, 21 of these motorists were found to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time.

Traffic enforcement by the police during 2013 resulted in a total of 84,470 cases being made against errant motorists; of this total 22, 389 cases were for speeding.