Traffic education in schools to remain a highpoint
Traffic Chief Hugh Denhert
Traffic Chief Hugh Denhert

–Hugh Denhert

TRAFFIC Chief Hugh Denhert says that traffic education in schools will remain a highpoint in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department since it is of utmost importance that such a programme be continued and it is the best place to start.

The Traffic Chief told this publication during an interview that they have had continuous traffic education programmes in schools in all divisions.
Moreover, just before schools closed for the August holidays visits were made by ranks who held several sessions on road safety education, considering that the children would be away from school and on the road during the vacation.

Denhert explained that during this period children may visit relatives and go places and they would utilise the roads more and in places not familiar to them. Therefore, a refresher road safety session was needed to make them more conscious and alert when using the roadways.

He noted that some children may have excelled at the recent exams and would receive bicycles as gifts and obviously they would be on the roads riding their new bicycles and they should practice proper road use.

The Senior Superintendent told this publication that they also do road safety sessions with drivers and would periodically visit bus and car parks and engage drivers on rules of the road.

Meanwhile, Denhert was asked to comment on the observation at the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) press conference Friday last when Chairman Shahab Hack of the West Coast Demerara Road Safety Council said that pedestrians are equally drunk as drivers.

The Traffic Chief pointed out that considering the vulnerability of pedestrians, they still continue to wear dark clothing in poorly lit areas and use the roads under the influence.

Denhert admitted that pedestrains use the roads while being drunk and the need for them to desist from such a practice must be highlighted.

MINIBUS CULTURE
The Traffic Chief also referred to the current minibus culture and noted that they have stepped up their enforcement activities and those arrested are spoken to by ranks about road safety and they also host monthly drivers’ seminars targeting drivers.

With the current traffic situation on the roads, Denhert said that they are working collaboratively with the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Guyana Revenue Authority to have a holistic approach in tackling traffic congestion by ensuring more roads are constructed to accommodate vehicles, while designating several streets one-way.

He added that in an effort to ease traffic congestion on the roadways they have employed a three-lane system on the East Bank Demerara Roadway and the East Coast Demerara, Railway Embankment is utilised also during peak hours.

When questioned about the seeming lack of police traffic ranks on the roads on weekends, he said that ranks also have to assist in other activities but they have static patrols and regular mobile patrols on the roads.

According to the Traffic Department, for this year there have been 77 accidents with 84 deaths and 10 were children and for the corresponding period last year 61 accidents were recorded with 64 deaths and six were children.
In ‘A’ Divison they had 30 accidents with 33 deaths; ‘B’ Division – 14 accidents with 16 deaths; ‘C’ Division – nine accidents with nine deaths; ‘D’ Division – 12 accidents with 12 deaths; ‘E’ Division – three accidents with four deaths, ‘F’ Division – two accidents with two deaths and ‘G’ Division – seven accidents with eight deaths.

(By Michel Outridge)

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