The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has recorded an alarming 32% increase in road fatalities from January 1 to November 30, but an overall drop in serious crime over the same period when compared to the corresponding period last year.
According to a press release, there have been 130 road fatalities from 121 accidents at the end of November, compared with 100 fatalities from 92 accidents over the same period in 2013. This reflects a 32% increase in fatalities.
Pedestrians have been the main road users affected, with 57 of them having lost their lives up to the end of November. In addition, 24 motorcyclists, 18 pedal cyclists, 13 drivers, 17 passengers in motor vehicles and one pillion rider on a bicycle were also killed.
Meanwhile, the other categories of accidents—serious, minor and damage—have seen reductions over the same period, compared to the corresponding period in 2013. Speeding continues to be a major contributing factor to fatal accidents and was the cause of 75 of the 121 accidents recorded at November month end. Police traffic enforcement has resulted in 17,493 cases, from a total of 61,853, being made against errant motorists for speeding. Already this month one person has died in a fatal accident.
Statistics have also revealed an 11% drop in serious crime, for the said period, compared to the corresponding period in 2013. A total of 127 murders were recorded at the end of November compared to 133 murders for the same period in 2013, reflecting a 5% decrease, police said.
At the end of November, there was an overall increase in armed robberies by 6% compared with the same period in 2013. Statistics also indicate an increase by 10% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms and a 2% decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators. Other serious crime policed are robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the persons, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape and kidnapping, the release said.
