THE traffic situation in Guyana is more complex than originally reaches the eyes. The concept of road safety deals with that state of safety and security when using the road. The aim of road safety is to reduce the harm caused by vehicle collisions and accidents involving pedestrians.

For this purpose, road safety is defined as a condition of being safe while on the road, that is – freedom from danger, harm or risk while on the road standing, working, walking or running, riding, driving which includes being ridden or driven be it on a horse-back, motor bike or in a motor vehicle, etc.

The police traffic department says talking on cell phones while driving, speeding, overloading vehicles and driving under the influence are some of the key factors pushing up road fatalities.
While there seems to be an increase in single-vehicle accidents which include crashing into stationary objects and canals, research of traffic fatalities in developing countries (including Guyana) has consistently shown that motor cyclists are an especially vulnerable group of road users deserving of special attention.

There are many factors which lend support to the traffic situation in Guyana, among them are the institutionalised practice of selling drivers and conductors’ licences and the vast amount of poorly regulated vehicles which operate as taxis and minibuses on a daily basis.

It has been found that in developing countries where minibuses and taxis are responsible for transporting the majority of the population, there is usually a super abundance of vehicles which randomly enters the transport pool, and create economic turbulence for seasoned operators.

Some countries which immediately come to mind are India, Colombia, South Africa, Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados and Suriname. Unlike many of these countries with well regulated transportation systems, in Guyana many drivers are constrained to work longer hours to achieve set targets.

Very often when government officials say that all that drivers are doing is trying to fill their pockets, they are usually making a political statement to absolve themselves from blame, as the traffic situation in any country often has severe socio- economic, political, cultural and other implications which are often out of the control of the average road user.

There are some specific coping behaviours observed especially among minibus drivers which include the use of energy drinks, stout, marijuana and cocaine.

Owning to the long hours worked by many minibus drivers, twelve hours, in most cases, which translate to almost two weeks of work in just one week; and given their compromised nutrition since most eat on the streets until they get home, many drivers then often lack the physical resilience to perform adequately under even mild stress, which is bound to have a negative effect upon their judgment and performance over time.

Statistics on road crashes have estimated that every year more than 1.2 million people die in road crashes around the world. The majority of these deaths, about 70 percent occur in developing countries.

Sixty five percent of deaths involve pedestrians and 35 percent of pedestrian deaths are children. Over 10 million people are crippled or seriously injured each year. Recent projections have revealed that at least six million more will die and 60 million will be injured during the next 10 years in developing countries unless urgent action is taken.
Several studies undertaken by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Harvard University and the World Bank showed that in 1990, traffic crashes were assessed to be the world’s ninth most important health hazard. The study forecast that by the year 2020, road crashes would move up to third place in the table of leading causes of death and disability facing the world community. According to WHO, the total monetary cost of traffic accidents in the developing world per annum, is three times the combined total amount of international aid to developing nations annually.
Several drivers are of the view that there needs to be a legitimate pathway for persons who are faced with reading challenges to study and pass the theoretical driving examination, such as the one developed by the Ratan Tata Trust of India. According to these drivers, the regular route at the moment is for those persons to purchase their driver’s licence. Others have suggested a re-certification exercise every five years; while some supported the introduction of psychological testing for persons seeking to obtain drivers’ licences.
During 2007, Mr. Ronald Thwaites, Opposition Member from Central Kingston tabled a private Member’s Motion calling for the re-certification of all holders of drivers’ licences every 15 years. He argued that rampant indiscipline, incapacity and defective vehicles have been identified as major contributory causes of road accidents in Jamaica. Psychological tests for drivers have been introduced in Poland as an element of preventive action to enhance traffic safety while reducing the high number of vehicular accidents in the country.
It is the author’s view that a robust public education programme for all road users should be introduced.

One which includes a further education component for errant drivers such as the Road Rageous programme created by psychologists Dr Leon James (Dr Driving) and Dr Arnold Nerenberg to address the causes of aggressive driving.
The justice system in the U.S has been using Road Rageous for the retraining of offending drivers. The training course addresses the main causes of accidents –negative driving habits and attitudes. Today, this training methodology is used through out the Unites States.
Many drivers have criticized the instructional quality and methodology of police driving instructors as outdated; the author suggests that a new comprehensive driving course be developed for Guyana, one which addresses driving from an occupational / professional stand point. The course should be constructed by way of unit standards and include critical cross field outcomes to reinforce the required knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors (KSAB), additionally, the authorities should  consider the introduction and vigorous enforcement of a Demerit Point System for traffic violators, which could result in the suspension or revocation of the licences  for repeat offenders.