Scotiabank yesterday gifted the National Road Safety Council with a quantity of stop signs and road safety vests which will be distributed to schools as part of the Bank’s road safety initiative, “The Bank’s Bright Future Programme’.

Scotiabank staffers during presentation of stop signs to National Road Safety representative, Ramona Doorgen. Looking on is Deputy Superintendent John Daniels.

The presentation took place at the Guyana Red Cross headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown and police representative, Deputy Superintendent, Traffic ‘A’ Division, John Daniels, accepted the donation.

He said that many drivers are indisciplined, especially at intersections and some even fail to observe the traffic lights as if they are all in a hurry to get somewhere.

Daniels told reporters that when this happens it does not go well for pedestrians and they have in the past pleaded with drivers to adhere to all traffic regulations.

The policeman added that drinking and driving too is a major contributor to fatalities, and he urged all drivers to avoid drinking and driving since the breathalyzer is in place and all defaulters will be prosecuted.

Recipients of Scotiabank cash donations.

Meanwhile, Scotiabank also presented the Guyana Red Cross with a quantity of road safety brochures which will go towards increasing awareness of road safety.

The Bank also donated a total of $350,000 to four organisations and a fire victim, Emelita Ramohan. The beneficiaries are the Linden Legal Aid Centre Children Support Group, Eiripan, the Ruimveldt Children’s Home and Greco Training Centre.

The Scotiabank ‘Bright Future Programme’ is a corporate giving initiative that seeks to improve the well-being of children, and the Bank is extremely concerned about the manner in which the lives of children are being snuffed out as they use the roadways.

“It has been reported that more children have been killed on our roads this year than last year,” said Scotiabank Manager – Products and Marketing, Jennifer Cipriani.

Scotiabank also made presentations to its ‘Back to school winners’ yesterday. Of three winners, only Ian Jack showed up for his prize of a Lenovo laptop, while three other persons each won US$500 cash credited to their MasterCard.

The promotion ran from July 15 to September 30, 2009, and comprised two draws. During the first draw, one laptop and one cash prize were awarded while the second draw saw two laptops and two cash prizes being awarded.