REPORTS of at least nine accidents, with two fatalities, involving Phagwah celebrants between 15:00 hrs and 20:00 hrs on Monday, reached media houses.

As a consequence, President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Persaud bemoaned the fact that the religious festival, albeit a national celebration that fosters unity among the Guyanese people, continues to be associated with alcohol consumption.
She said: “The Sabha’s position has always been that our events, especially our religious festivals, not be associated with alcohol.”
According to her, as President of the organisation, she has made it clear, time and time again, that the Hindu community advocates for alcohol free festivals, as well as events.
“Phagwah celebrations should never be an occasion for alcohol use,” she insisted.
Persaud appealed for good sense to prevail and the festival be respected the next time around.
Her condolences
The Sabha President also expressed her condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured in the Monday accidents.
She decried the practice of drinking and driving.
Meanwhile, Commander of Police ‘A’ Division, Assistant Commissoner George Vyfhuis, on Monday night, appealed for drivers to heed the traffic laws and not drink and drive.
“It is a concern,” he said, after an accident that completely blocked the main carriageway of a part of the East Bank of Demerara Highway, raising security concerns.
“We had to come in and deal with this but we’re appealing to the drivers to please do not drink and drive. We cannot afford that now.
“Designate a driver and you will get to where you are going safely. Do not speed. Do not try to overtake another vehicle when you don’t have the opportunity to do that.
“I think it is very dangerous and we are risking lives and getting rid of innocent people’s lives very easily,” he lamented.
Police Traffic Department statistics indicate that fatalities for the year have surpassed that of the corresponding 2013 period.
25 deaths
To date, there have been 25 deaths as a result of 23 road accidents, 13 of which involved driving under the influence of alcohol.
For 2013, pedestrians have been the main road users affected, with 37 such persons having lost their lives by December.
In addition, 16 motorcyclists, 12 pedal cyclists, 14 drivers and 18 passengers of motor vehicles, three pillion riders were also killed during 2013.
Police traffic enforcement activities during 2013 resulted in a total of 107,650 cases being made against errant motorists, of which 20,443 were for speeding.
Road accidents remain featured among the top 10 leading causes of death, as well as accounting for the most disabilities in Guyana, as revealed by the Ministry of Health National Rehabilitation Services Strategy 2009 to 2013.
by Vanessa Narine