SEVERAL speakers at the launch of Road Safety Month 2010 yesterday stressed that safety on the roadways is the business of everyone, in view of the alarming 117 road fatalities the country has experienced so far for this year. Speaking in the vicinity of Stabroek Market, Rohee reported that in ‘A’ Division, where Georgetown is located, 16 accidents occurred for the year, causing 16 deaths, while on the East Bank of Demerara, there were 16 accidents resulting in 17 fatalities.
On the Corentyne, he said there were eight accidents that caused 19 deaths, while seven occurred on the West Coast of Demerara and caused seven deaths.
Rohee said most of these accidents occurred at weekends, and that the average age of the victims last year was 35. In 2010 so far, the average age is 39.
He pointed out that there is no shortage of traffic laws, as many were instituted dealing with driving under the influence, speeding and using cell phones while at the wheel.
While establishing these laws is one thing, he noted that upholding them is quite another.
The Minister said the public cannot afford to give up on persons who do not believe in road safety but must continue to educate them.
And so he called on school teachers, parents, religious and faith-based organizations, political parties, social organizations and trade unions to play their part in dealing with road safety.
Rohee commended the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) as he noted that it has played a critical role in road safety in Guyana, and observed that government will lend support to any organization that is promoting safety on the roadways.
Officer in charge of Traffic, ‘A’ Division, Hugh Dehnert, remarked that accidents do not just happen, but are caused, many times because of negligence on the part of road users.
He said skillful use of the road is necessary at present, in view of the upcoming holiday season with the attendant increase in traffic.
Member of GNRSC Hilbert Archer encouraged passengers be more willing not to travel in overloaded vehicles, and in those with loud music and drivers who insist on speeding.
He remarked that the Council has received profound support from Minister Rohee which has made it possible to host various seminars to educate people on road safety.
The activities for road safety were launched under the theme “Fast driving takes lives, Careful driving saves lives.”