Last month, 21 persons lost their lives to traffic accidents. To date, the cumulative reported figure for the year stands at 114 deaths, a significant increase from last year. The Christmas season is upon us and given comparable figures from previous years, there is a high likelihood that the spike in road deaths will continue.
This fear has seen the Traffic Chief, Linden Isles announcing that officers will now be stationed outside of watering holes to administer breathalyzer tests.
The move which was heavily criticized might for some be seen a creative short-term patch as an increased police presence might see persons less likely to drive home drunk. However, I have been curious as to the logistics of it all. The police force is already strained in its capacity both in terms of numbers and resources. Not that many breathalyzer kits are available in the country and a small number of officers are equipped to use them. While they did not specify areas of focus, history might prove that this exercise will be implemented particularly in Georgetown while other areas along the coast and rural spots are ignored.
There also needs to be consideration given to the public’s often problematic relations with the police and instances of corruption. Bribery within the traffic ranks particularly is high wherein officers frequently target individuals with the sole intent to get money from them. We should not fool ourselves that such a situation is not possible, we see it every day on our roadways with ranks often working in groups to solicit. I recall travelling with a friend once who was pulled over for a traffic infraction and subsequently sent to the police station. Once we got to the police station the driver was asked for a bribe. It was realized that the officer had no interest in charging the driver for the infraction and simply needed it to appear so to his superiors. This is of course not to say that more bribery than breathalyzer testing might not be going on at select places the police choose to man, but it is something that should be considered in their planning phase, if there is any.
One must consider how effective such a plan will be. While their reason for wanting more sober and careful driving on the roadways is good, it does not seem to be very well thought out. This measure reminds me of the Minister of Public Security’s 2015 implementation of the 2:00am curfew.
This was also touted as a measure to curb alcohol abuse that could lead to road deaths. The effectiveness of this strategy is not known and from indications, it seems more of an annoyance to partygoers rather than any serious deterrent to drunk driving. Has the Ministry been conducting any studies as to the effectiveness of the curfew and if so, will these be available to the public? Inquiring minds would like to know whether ad hoc strategies implemented with little thought or studies has birthed any positive effects.
The ad hoc manner in which we do many things in Guyana, particularly as it relates to law and order has seen us unable to move forward for a while now. We don’t devote a lot of time to research, planning and phased implementation. Every-thing needs to happen quickly even if the results are chaotic. This was seen recently on the East Bank with regards to traffic management where the changes exacerbated the situation of Region 3 and 4 drivers who are often caught in a slow crawl. Those experimental changes were made with limited information being provided to the public and had maddening consequences.
Our severely limited infrastructure also aids in the carnage on the roads. While the number of vehicles on the road has been steadily rising, our infrastructural development is still lagging far behind. Our narrow roadways have limited alternative routes of travel and this of course contributes to increased congestion and fatigue. Coupled with driver error, Guyana’s roadways spell a recipe for disaster given the many gaping holes and unlit highways and streets. The quality of work done on many of the roads are subpar and they quickly crumble under the pressure. It is a common occurrence for new roads to be built and begin disintegrating within months. This cannot be the accepted standard.
Those concerned with the security of their life and that of others must take it upon themselves to break out of the harmful attitudes we have towards the roadways. We have an abundance of unprepared drivers on the road. Their presence is aided by insufficient license systems and also the attitudes held towards our usage of roadways that normalises drunk driving. Alcohol often acts as the fuel behind many domestic violence cases and murders. On the roadways, its effects we can see are no less disastrous. While it is unfortunately understood that everything in Guyana is centred on drinking, we need to start putting stock into the importance of designated drivers and minimal alcohol intake. Too many lives are being lost.
