THE National Road Safety Council (NRSC) is advocating that through attitude change and education the current road culture which has contributed to numerous road fatalities in Guyana may be reduced.NRSC Coordinator Ramona Doorgen told this publication that there needs to be collaborative training for drivers annually, in which Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) can issue yearly licences to those drivers, who have been re-trained by the NRSC.

She added that the training will be much different from that of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and there is also need for the implementation of stiffer penalties for drunk drivers and the motor manslaughter Act should be looked at before instituted.

Doorgen disclosed that they are looking to have a mass media education campaign, because they are of the view that drivers and road users need to be educated to have a change of attitude and they are currently in discussion with the Minister of Public Security for that to become possible.

The NRSC member yesterday asked that drivers reduce their speeds, since they are concerned at the alarming number of persons who have lost their lives on the roadways.

She urged that drivers use the five Cs and be attentive, while pedestrians utilise the sidewalks and cross the roads correctly to minimise the incidence of fatalities and road accidents.

Doorgen pointed out that globally, pedestrians are most vulnerable to fatalities and that is why more entities should partner with the NRSC to educate the public in general, not only pedestrians.

Meanwhile, Traffic Chief Ian Amsterdam told this newspaper that they have recorded a 6% increase in road deaths this year as compared to last year.

He revealed that this year we have 71 fatalities and last year we had 67; as for road accidents, there were 58 this year and 61 for last year with a 5% decrease.

The senior officer said the figures are worrying and despite their rigid enforcement campaigns countrywide, drivers continue to have blatant disregard for the law.

He added that the leading category of road users that are most vulnerable are pedestrians and they have seen a decrease in serious and damage accidents this year.

Giving statistics, Amsterdam said 25 pedestrians, six pedal cyclists, 10 motor cyclists, two pillion riders, nine drivers, 14 occupants in cars, one towed on bicycle and four occupants in minibuses lost their lives this year in road accidents.

He however advised that pedestrians be extra careful on the roads, wear bright- coloured clothing at nights and asked that drivers be more defensive in their driving, so they will be able to take necessary action in the event they have to, because we cannot afford to lose another life on the roads.

He disclosed that in August last year, 22 persons were killed in road accidents and as we are approaching the month of August 2015, we do not want a repeat of that figure as fatalities; as such, everybody needs to play a part when using the roads.