In a letter to Lashley’s parents, Hinds said it was particularly regrettable that the tragic accident took place just after he, in the company of his mother and siblings, came from the annual Flag Raising ceremony in observance of Independence Day.
It spoke volumes for her patriotism, the prime minister wrote, that Mrs Lashley took her children to the event. “I know it is a challenge for you…especially as a mother, to take some solace in the fact that your last act for Austin was one which succeeded in making him pleased and happy,” Hinds said.
The government through the Guyana Police Force, Hinds said, is committed to executing programmes which greatly reduce the incidence of traffic accidents. Based on some counts, the accident rate, according to the prime minister, is 50 times what it is today in the US.
However, the US accident rate was the same 70 years ago when it began working to reduce its accident rate, he said.
Road users, Hinds stressed, need to be more disciplined, courteous and considerate. This, he believes, will reduce the accident rate.
