‘The time has arrived for the formation of a non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving the safety on the roads, bring some order to the use of hire vehicles and aiding the police in creating a safe conscious public.’
PASSENGERS in vehicles for hire are the main victims of chaos and carnage on the roads. They form a substantial portion, if not a majority, of all persons injured and killed.

Despite the horrendous destruction and damage to human life over the years, there has yet been no significant protest from an organised group of passengers.

Indeed, there is no organised group of passengers. Outside of passengers, Women in Black has been the only organisation periodically drawing attention to road traffic issues.

Passengers who are the persons most affected by bad driving practices have been silent. That should come to an end.

The Guyana Police Force has borne the responsibility for traffic safety up to this time. Their responsibility is expressed mainly in enforcement to ensure that the traffic laws are obeyed and where they are not obeyed to prosecute the offenders.

In the past the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force has had extensive programmes, particularly in schools, but also with the general public as well, to teach and inculcate safety rules and principles on the roads.

These programmes have weakened in the recent past. The fact of the matter is that the Police cannot do both effectively. They do not have the human and material resources to enforce the traffic laws as well as to educate users of the road as to how to do so safely.

There have been significant reforms and upgrading of laws such as seat belts, and increased penalties and stronger enforcement such as the greater use of the speed gun.

The breathalyser has recently been introduced. Whether this will have an overall impact on the number of accidents and death and injury is not yet known. But so far the reforms have not brought a significant reduction, or any reduction at all in road deaths.

Over the past quarter of a century the concept of non-government activity has acquired a world wide acceptance and the innovative and effective work of non-governmental organisations has acquired credibility.

A vast array of such organisations exists in Guyana and has been making substantial contributions to development.

Some have no government links whatsoever and others have varying degrees of links. Some, such as Community Policing Groups and the Consumers’ Association, at least at one time, are actually assisted by the Government.

Others work closely with the Government but receive no form of assistance. Some wish to have no assistance from the Government and maintain a certain distance from it, as they believe that it may compromise their independence.

The time has arrived for the formation of a non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving the safety on the roads, bring some order to the use of hire vehicles and aiding the police in creating a safe conscious public.

It is well known that passengers in hire vehicles are captive onlookers at what plays out between the driver, conductor, if there is one, and vehicle. The passenger’s major concern is to get to work, business, school or home.

While concern for their well-being might also be a major concern, they are aware that if they voice such concern, the driver will stop the vehicle and eject them from it.

This has been one of the major obstacles against the exercise of passenger power. This can stop if the government takes the lead in calling for the establishment of a non-governmental organisation to fight for the welfare of passengers.

It will probably require some effort, some outreach, some nurturing and some financing but no Governmental interference. There is no reason why this cannot be done and why it cannot work.