THE Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has launched a vigorous countrywide campaign, especially targeting unlicensed minibuses and drivers who drink and drive.

Traffic Chief Brian Joseph told the Guyana Chronicle that the exercise is ongoing, with the focus on some unlicensed drivers, who are at the wheel of buses, and based on reports received, tend to operate after dark .
But the ranks are geared to stamp out this lawlessness on the roadways, said the Assistant Commissioner of Police.
He said they are also checking randomly on some drivers who are imbibing and driving and he warned all who drive to have their documents in order.
Joseph stated that, so far, they have been very successful as ranks are working around the clock and making routine checks at various roadblocks.
He said he is keeping in contact with the traffic officers to ensure the organised course of action reaches the maximum.
The Traffic Chief pointed out that, although they have had some issues to deal with, the Department has recorded the lowest fatality figures in 43 years. Still, they are concerned with the wanton loss of lives on the roadways.
                  
ATTITUDE
Even the loss of one life is too much and they want to change the attitude of some drivers and encourage all of them to drive defensively to avoid road accidents, he said.
Traffic Headquarters, at Eve Leary, Georgetown, reported, yesterday, that, for this new year, so far, one fatal accident has been recorded with one death, as compared with four similar accidents and the loss of four lives, including that of a child for the same period in 2012.
In a press release, earlier this week, the GPF noted that there has been a four percent reduction in road fatalities for 2012 in comparison to 2011, with 110 fatalities in 2012 as against 115 during 2011.
The 110 last year was the lowest figure in 43 years. In 1969, the total number of road fatalities was 169 and the previous comparable low statistic was 113 in 2008.
Thirty-four pedestrians were the main road users killed in 2012, in addition to 18 pedal cyclists, 19 motorcyclists and 20 motor vehicle drivers.
The most road deaths for last year occurred in ‘A’ Division (Georgetown/East Bank Demerara) where 41 died in 38 accidents. The so-called ‘black spots’ in relation to those fatalities were mainly along Lamaha, Norton and D’Urban Streets, Mandela Avenue, between Houston and Eccles, and Supply and Soesdyke on East Bank Demerara.

SPEEDING
Speeding continued to be a major contributing factor to the road fatalities, causing 78 of the 102 during 2012. Other contributory elements were driving under the influence, distracted or inattentive drivers and the non-compliance with traffic signals.
Traffic enforcement by the Police in 2012 resulted in a total of 69, 653 cases being made against errant motorists. Of that total, 14, 877 were for speeding.  
Meanwhile, last year, in addition to its education programme, which includes lectures to schools, enforcement operations by the department have, for the most part, focused on speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, defective vehicles, unlicenced drivers, inconsiderate driving, reckless and negligent driving, safety belts, cell phone use while operating vehicles, overloaded minibuses and route transgressions.
Joseph indicated that more attention will be paid to outstanding traffic tickets, illegible number plates, parking violations and others which have the potential to develop into more serious problems.