ROADS and vehicles are an everyday part of life for all of us. Either as a driver, a passenger, or as a pedestrian, we all must properly negotiate the road traffic environment on a daily basis. However, every day one opens the daily newspapers, lo, and behold, there is always a reported road accident. I shudder to think about how many cases go unreported or unsolved. Today I was a victim of a hit and run accident, and I would like to say to the driver of that car, PNN 751, that my daughter and I are okay, and that I will pray for you and hope that you take extra care of the people’s lives that travel in your vehicle, and when you are driving on the road.
The annual economic cost of road accidents in Guyana is enormous; conservatively, I estimate in the millions per annum — and the social impacts are devastating.
Apart from lives being cut tragically short, debilitating injuries often result in pain, grief and suffering that have lifelong impacts on victims, families and communities. Every life is precious.