Dear Editor,
Clearly the Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Division is not serving the people of Guyana efficiently and effectively as it should. There has never been in the history of Guyana such a proliferation of serious and fatal accidents. Some will argue that the rate of our development is a contributing factor and no doubt it is, well, even with that considered it is still not an excuse as development brings many abnormalities which have to be addressed and planned for.
We have a history of being reactive rather than proactive. The loss of lives, many young people, in a country of well under one million people should be worrisome to our leaders and by extension the Guyana Police Force which has responsibility for traffic.
I have yet to hear a call of urgency to address this matter forthwith. Our roads have now become a jungle of wild and reckless road users many of whom appear to be very ignorant of its laws. There is urgent need for a solution and the Police, the Guyana Road Safety Council, the Guyana Insurance Association and civil society must start talking to each other.
My humble suggestions for matters to be addressed are: –
1. Credibility of the licensing process.
2. Involvement of Insurance Companies in taking a lead insofar as certification is concerned and to institute penalties for errant drivers/riders which includes suspensions and revocation of driving privileges
3. Consider driver training and exams to be run by private and strictly monitored and accredited schools regulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
4. Make Road Safety education compulsory in schools with timely visits by any qualified person/s from the Traffic Division, Guyana Road Safety Council, and the Private Driving/Training Schools.
5. Address and implement a code of driving ethics with the Mini Bus Association and Taxi Drivers and companies.
6. Training and certification for Public Transportation providers which must include basic first aid assistance.
7. Professional training of truck drivers and commercial road providers.
8. Rules and regulations for use of the roadway by those in categories 5, 6, & 7 above.
9. Re- introduction of inspections of all categories of vehicles for road fitness. (currently no inspection is done which allows vehicle owners and drivers to modify their lighting systems, number plates and other standard safety equipment)
10. Consider road fitness inspection to be done privately under strict supervision and accreditation of the Ministry of Home Affairs’.
11. Involve Clubs and Bars to comply with encouraging responsible drinking and to not sell liquor to obviously intoxicated persons or themselves face prosecution.
12. Clubs and Bars must display responsible drinking messages in their institutions.
Editor, the above suggestions are not to be considered exhaustive as others may have other suggestions, which is why public and institutional involvement are necessary.
I am convinced that no amount of road safety campaigns will produce the desired results since much of the system is so badly broken.
Editor, I stand ready to give my service to this cause if those in authority consider my views worthy.
Sincerely,
Bernard A. Ramsay