That page two picture of Akila
The Guyana Chronicle has felt constrained to divert from its normal policy of not publishing graphic or gruesome pictures that could cause anyone distress, because it is the considered view of this newspaper that the carnage on the roads needs to be checked, and that, at this point, there must be no holds barred in sending this message across. The page two picture of yesterday’s edition of this newspaper shows the body of 5-year-old Akila Samuels lying with limbs outflung in repose; but this is not the abandoned posture of the outflung limbs of an innocent child lying in slumber in the safety of her bed.  The repose of little Akila is the perennial stillness of death.
A brother and a sister, and two cousins, all children, struck down within days of each other – two holding hands as they walked in the corner of the road on their way home from school and two on a bicycle.  There are 54 recorded road deaths so far for the year, with five of those being children.
These accidents occurred at different geographic locations in the country, but the loss of lives and the maiming of young bodies that are ruthlessly crushed under the wheels of vehicles driven by monsters who exhibit a total lack of concern for pedestrians, cyclists, and even other motorists have become endemic in the Guyanese society.
What is even more appalling is that one of the drivers has a record of causing accidents through reckless driving; with the result that he had, prior to this latest deadly act, left another child crippled and unable to function normally or attend school, which is tantamount to depriving him of a life worth living.
Yet the police let him back on the road to continue his criminal spree – this time to kill.
Where are the protective mechanisms to prevent such occurrences and recurrences, where perpetrators waste the nation’s precious human resources in such a wanton and ruthless manner?
The laws are there, but there is zero enforcement, and anyone who stands for one hour on any of the nation’s highways would be able to gauge the reckless behaviour of the majority of motorists who use the roads as racing tracks, or who drive under the influence of substances. 
The police have to test drivers for drug usage as well as drunken driving, especially  minibus drivers.  If they work undercover they can bring many offenders to justice:  That is, if they are so inclined.
Many bus drivers who ferry children to and from school on a contractual basis just leave the children on the roadways to fend for themselves, and one can recall one instance when a child was run over by the same bus that had dropped her even as the horrified mother looked on.
Today that driver is yet free to put other children’s lives in jeopardy and, instead of showing remorse he jeers at the parents instead.
These occurrences are the direct result of the laxity of law-enforcement and judicial systems in the country.  Why are perpetrators allowed to “settle” criminal cases with poverty-stricken victims instead of being penalized by the law?
Until and unless there is strong enforcement of Guyana’s traffic laws and officers stop seeking a ‘raise’ from transgressors many more babies like Akila – not to mention the countless mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters,  et cetera- would end up lying in eternal repose on Guyana’s roadways.
Rest in peace, Akila!