IN OBSERVANCE OF NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY MONTH 2010
Fellow Road Users, on Monday the 1st November 2010, the Ministry of Home Affairs, along with stakeholders commenced the observation of National Road Safety Month 2010, under the theme: “Fast Driving takes lives, careful driving saves lives”.

I am very concerned and perturbed about the number of road fatalities that have been occurring on all of our roadways.

Two recent accidents on our roads serve as grim reminders of the effect the careless use of the roads could have on the lives of people.

One Friday, October 29, 2010, twelve persons lost their lives under circumstances that could have been avoided.  Then on the morning of October 31, 2010, a young man rode to his death on the East Bank Highway.

Prior to those two tragic accidents, two brothers lost their lives on the Leguan public road.

We cannot continue to allow such a large number of our workforce to be wasted.

All accidents have some effect on our economy.

The loss of our human resources to accidents impacts not only the families of the deceased, but our human capital, as well.

Almost all accidents have a great financial impact on our economy:

* The Ministry of Health has to render the necessary medical assistance and therapy when required as a result of motor vehicle accidents

*  The Ministry of Public Works has to repair the damaged infrastructure.

*  The Police is tasked with conducting investigations and prosecutions when accidents occur, thus, resulting in the significant utilization of man power that could be diverted to crime fighting and prevention activities.

Motor vehicle accidents can also affect victims physically, hindering them, temporarily, from carrying out their normal day to day activities, and, on other occasions, impede their ability to pursue their goals and aspirations in life.

Major accidents which result in the loss of lives and serious disabilities have lasting negative effects on the well being of close relatives of victims.

To those road users who have experienced these traumatic events and are still suffering from them, I extend to you my heartfelt sympathy.

As Minister of Home Affairs, I feel a great sense of loss when a person, especially a young person, dies on our roads.

The time has come for all road users to curb bad habits when using our roadways.

Some of those unacceptable behavioural tendencies exhibited by errant road users include speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and failure to comply with road signs and signals.

Pedestrians and cyclists are not exempt from the category of road users who commit breaches.

The Ministry of Home Affairs will not sit idly by and allow this carnage on our roads to continue.

While we will intensify our education and road safety campaign, the Guyana Police Force will take whatever steps necessary to curb this worrying trend.

Government agencies and NGOs that are responsible for the safe use of our roads are working together to ensure that technology and better road designs are used more effectively to complement the prevention and enforcement activities of the Guyana Police Force.

It is accepted that the reduction of road accidents cannot be attained without the support and cooperation of all citizens. On the occasion of Road Safety Month 2010, I take this opportunity to urge all road users – pedestrians, motor cyclists, cyclists, minibus, hire car and truck drivers, and all other categories of road users, to act more responsibly when using our roads.

We must consider the significant loss that accompanies any misuse of our roads.

Although November is Road Safety Month, care, courtesy, consideration, caution and common-sense should be exercised in our daily use of the roadways.

Always remember, Road Safety Is Everybody’s Business!

HAPPY ROAD SAFETY MONTH 2010