Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn yesterday said that the recent spate of road fatalities calls for renewed interventions such as heightened enforcement and increasing fines and sanctions.
“The recent accidents and continued reckless road use by identifiable sections of road users make the case for heightened enforcement, increasing fines and sanctions and renewed interventions for public awareness in respect of road safety and traffic management,” Benn said in a statement.
He pointed out that speeding, driving under the influence and driving without due care and attention have been identified as the main causes of the recent accidents.
According to Benn, during 2021 the Guyana Police Force (GPF) recorded a 20 percent reduction in road fatalities. “Beyond statistics, road deaths and injuries represent traumatic grief and loss which are irreparable to the families, communities, and indeed, to the country at large,” the statement said.
As such, Benn signaled the Ministry’s intention to have the GPF improve on its performance from last year by facilitating all the necessary measures to have improvements in road safety.
“I wish to express regret and condolences to the families who are grieving at this time and to encourage safer road usage, by all concerned, but particularly young vehicle and motorcycle operators,” he urged.
On Monday night, three men, Carlito Gobin, 23, of De Willem, West Coast Demerara (WCD); fishermen Kiran Rampersaud, called ‘Rocky’, 41, of Zeeburg, and Ayube Mohammed, 44, of 167 Meten-Meer-Zorg, WCD died after a speeding car ran into them in front of the Sharmila Harrykissoon Sports Bar on the De Willem Public Road.
Police had said that the 19-year-old driver, Matthew Ambedkar was allegedly racing when he lost control of the car. He is currently hospitalized under police guard.
One week before this, 24-year-old motorcyclist, Nionel Berkley died after he was involved in an accident along the Agricola Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
Reports had revealed that Berkley allegedly collided with a pedestrian, who was later identified as Shirley Hollingsworth, 66. She has since succumbed to her injuries.
On February 2nd, Christopher Bhagwandat and his girlfriend, Sheereda Persaud died while several others including four police officers were injured after a high-speed chase ended in a four-vehicle accident along the Mahaica Bridge.
Corporal Lawrence Carmichael was recently charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and released on $1.5 million bail.
