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Georgetown, Guyana — President Irfaan Ali has sounded a dire warning about the escalating road fatalities in Guyana, describing the situation as a national crisis. Following a pivotal meeting with the Attorney General and Guyana Police Force leadership on November 21, 2024, Ali outlined decisive measures to curb reckless driving and enforce stricter road safety laws.
“The carnage on our roadways must stop,” Ali stated emphatically, expressing dismay that only 18 licenses had been suspended this year despite rampant speeding and lawbreaking. “We are taking these actions to save lives,” he said.
Accountability for Drivers and Truck Owners
Ali called for a dual approach targeting both drivers and vehicle owners. He proposed amending laws to hold truck owners accountable for their drivers’ actions. “Truck drivers, especially, need to operate within the guidelines,” Ali stressed, highlighting the role of heavy vehicles in many fatal accidents.
The president also mandated the immediate use of body cameras for traffic officers and increased reliance on CCTV to capture and prosecute violators. He urged commuters to report reckless drivers, particularly in public transportation. “We need everyone’s help to stop this,” Ali said.
Combating Drunk Driving and Illegal Sirens
Addressing drunk driving, Ali announced plans to suspend bar licenses for establishments failing to comply with regulations. He emphasized the responsibility of bar owners to ensure drivers do not get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. Mandatory signage in bars will also be enforced, with templates provided by the police.
Ali also took aim at the illegal use of sirens and emergency lights, a growing menace. He directed law enforcement to clamp down on unauthorized installations and penalize offenders. Security companies abusing their permissions face the potential loss of their operating licenses.
Grim Road Safety Statistics
Traffic Chief Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh’s recent data painted a stark picture of the crisis. Speeding, inattentiveness, and improper child restraints remain leading causes of accidents. This year alone:
•41 motorcyclists and 26 pedestrians lost their lives.
•Fridays and Saturdays accounted for the most fatal accidents.
•Guyana’s roads are burdened by over 116,000 registered vehicles, with motor lorry registrations tripling in the last two years due to economic expansion.
Singh noted that the ratio of traffic ranks to vehicles remains severely unbalanced, further complicating enforcement. “The impact of vehicular traffic significantly affects road safety,” he said.
Ali announced several measures to address these statistics. Digital speed advisory boards will be installed on highways, and truck drivers will undergo retraining programs. Highlighting the success of traffic cameras on Heroes Highway, which resulted in 893 speeding tickets this year, Ali pledged to suspend repeat offenders’ licenses.
The president urged a united effort to resolve the crisis. “We can only stop this together,” he said, calling on citizens, law enforcement, and businesses to act collectively to restore safety to Guyana’s roads.
