SEVERAL women groups from around the country, on Wednesday, gathered in front of the Home Affairs Ministry in Brickdam in efforts to raise their growing concern of careless driving, an ongoing issue they believe is the main reason for the many minibus fatalities. Doris McLennan, founder-leader of the newly-formed Women’s Action Group on Social Issues, and mother of one of the dead passengers in Monday’s horrendous accident on Homestretch Avenue, told the Guyana Chronicle that she planned Wednesday’s picketing.

“I’m frustrated and I am angry and fed up with this thing; it’s high time that something is done about this issue that is affecting the entire country,” McLennan said

She said that this is only the beginning of the protest, as it will run for a few days with the hope of creating an impact on the minds of these drivers.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Henry Greene, in an invited comment, stated that the force has been doing everything possible to bring this situation under its control.

“We have been working assiduously to bring down the number of road fatalities (caused) by careless driving; our traffic ranks have been doing good job too,” Greene explained.

He stressed that the ranks are not only given the task of checking licences, but they also examine the parts of the motor vehicles on the road to ensure they are in good condition.

The Commissioner commended the works that have been executed successfully so far by members of the force, but urged them to make greater efforts to tackle these situations on a daily basis.

“Take note and get behind these drivers that are creating these problems when they break the law,” Greene charged.

Following a horrific accident on Homestretch Avenue on Monday, which occurred around 18:30 hrs on Monday, five persons have died and several others injured after the wheel of the minibus they were travelling in, BMM 9888, had a blow-out of its rear right tire, causing it to topple several times.

The bus began toppling from outside the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit and continued doing so until it stopped on its roof near the entrance to Castellani Pool.
Reports from the Police Commissioner stated that it appears as though the driver of the minibus was speeding and racing with another bus, which resulted in the lack of control after the blow out.