Police pleading with road users to be more attentive, traffic conscious
IN light of the growing incidence of road fatalities, Deputy Traffic Officer, John Daniels, of the Guyana Police Force Traffic Headquarters, Eve Leary, yesterday cautioned all road users, especially pedal cyclists and pedestrians, to be more attentive and traffic conscious. Daniels said statistics show that the two categories of road users, pedal cyclists and pedestrians, are most vulnerable to fatalities.
For this year, he said 16 persons lost their lives from 17 road accidents, while for the corresponding period in 2011, 21 persons were killed in 21 road accidents.
In this regard, he is urging all motorists not to over-drive their head lights at night, and asked that pedestrians and pedal cyclists wear something white when on the road after dark.
Mr. Daniels added that the major contributors of road fatalities identified, so far, are speeding and inattentiveness, followed by drinking and driving.
In the latest road fatality, in Essequibo over the weekend, he said that the Traffic Department is still investigating.
Police reported that at about 01:00 hr on Sunday, on the Maria’s Lodge Public Road, Essequibo Coast, Michael Persaud, 19, of Johanna Cecilia, Essequibo was killed when his car crashed into a concrete culvert.
Investigations revealed that Persaud was speeding when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a concrete culvert.
He sustained injuries and was taken to the Suddie Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, police are continuing investigations into the death of Thakoordial Jaisiri, 65, of Charity Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, which occurred on Monday last week.
Initial investigations revealed that at about 19:10 hrs, a policeman was driving a car along the Charity Public road when he felt the vehicle run over an obstacle.
On checking, it was found to be Jaisiri, who was lying on the roadway. He was taken to the Suddie Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
A post mortem revealed that he died of multiple injuries.
The policeman is under close arrest as the investigations continue.
During the weekend of February 19, three men lost their lives in Berbice in separate accidents while several were injured.
Police said they are investigating a fatal accident that occurred at about 10:25 hrs on Sunday, February 19, at Cottage, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, which resulted in the death of pedal cyclist, Rajendranauth Rambinjan, 50, of Perseverance, Mahaicony.
Investigations revealed that the driver of motor car PGG 751 was moving along the roadway when it is alleged that the pedal cyclist attempted to cross the road and was struck down by the vehicle. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
The driver is in police custody assisting with the investigations.
And police are investigating a fatal accident that occurred at about 21:00 hrs, also on February 19, at Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, and which resulted in the death of Quadeer Arakhan, 25, of Springlands, Corentyne.
Investigations revealed that Arakhan was driving motor car PKK 1056, along the roadway, allegedly at a fast rate, when he lost control of the vehicle which crashed into a concrete bridge and then into a parked motor lorry.
As a result, Arakhan and occupant, Avinash Persaud, 18, of Springlands, received injuries and were taken to the Skeldon Hospital. Arakhan was pronounced dead on arrival, while Persaud was referred to the New Amsterdam Hospital and admitted in a serious condition.
Also on Sunday, February 19, minibus driver Teddy Persaud, 35, of 409 Good Intent, West Bank Demerara, was on his way home at about midnight when he lost control of the bus and crashed into a parked truck at Stanleytown Public Road.
The father of two reportedly died on the spot and public spirited citizens took half an hour to pull him from the vehicle.
And later Sunday night, this time on the Peter’s Hall Public Road, more than five persons were injured when several vehicles collided. They all received minor injuries.