Dear Editor,
Greg Quinn’s article in yesterday’s Stabroek News on road fatalities in Guyana betrays a superficial understanding of the structural and economic realities that underlie the crisis. While he highlights uncivil behaviour as a root cause of the road carnage, this perspective ignores the systemic issues at play, turning a critical national issue into a moralistic critique.
First, as a Brit with firsthand experience of the UK’s road infrastructure, Quinn should acknowledge that the UK’s road safety success is not merely a result of punitive measures or driver civility. It stems from decades of investment in world-class infrastructure, rigorous road design standards, and a comprehensive public transportation network that reduces dependency on private vehicles. Roundabouts, for example, are cited as hallmarks of efficient and safe traffic management in the UK. Yet, Quinn fails to mention the comparative statistics: how many fatalities have occurred at UK roundabouts in recent years? This omission undermines his case for civility as the primary solution.
Guyana, by contrast, suffers from infrastructure that has not kept pace with its economic transformation, particularly the explosion of oil wealth. Poorly designed roads, insufficient traffic management systems, and a lack of pedestrian and cyclist safety measures all contribute to the high fatality rates. Telling Guyanese drivers to be more “civilized” without addressing these systemic failings is not just tone-deaf; it’s an insult to those who risk their lives daily on inadequate roads.
Moreover, Quinn seems detached from the socioeconomic pressures facing the average Guyanese. With foreign corporations and political elites pocketing the lion’s share of oil revenues, many ordinary citizens are left scrambling for crumbs. This economic precarity fuels the impatience and frustration he observes on the roads. When people are hustling to survive, it’s no surprise they prioritize urgency over rules. A traffic ticket or fine, while trivial for some, could be devastating for others. Punitive measures alone will disproportionately punish the poor without addressing the root causes of dangerous driving.
The solution lies not in lecturing citizens about civility but in rethinking how oil wealth is allocated. Guyana must invest in a modern, safe, and efficient transportation system that prevents fatalities. This includes proper highways, pedestrian crossings, enforcement of vehicle standards, and well-designed traffic systems. If Guyanese people saw tangible benefits from their nation’s oil wealth, such as improved infrastructure and economic opportunities, their trust in governance—and, by extension, compliance with laws—would likely increase.
Lastly, Quinn’s characterization of Guyanese drivers as uncivil skirts dangerously close to cultural stereotyping. It shifts blame from systemic failure to individual behaviour, ignoring the economic and infrastructural inequities that shape that behaviour. Civility, as he calls for, is a luxury for those who aren’t living paycheck to paycheck.
In summary, Mr. Quinn, the crisis on Guyana’s roads is not about civility; it’s about inequity. Address the structural deficiencies, reinvest oil wealth into public goods, and give Guyanese people a fair shot at economic dignity. Only then will you see lasting change in road safety statistics—and not through lectures on how to drive politely.
Yours faithfully,
Kwasi Fraser