AS the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force steps up its enforcement campaign on the East Coast of Demerara to minimise fatalities and road accidents, ranks have discovered that drinking under the influence (DUI) remains a major challenge for motorists, because of an ingrained habit, and for the police, to maintain control of the situation.

Traffic Officer for the Sub-Division, Inspector Jermaine Harper, told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that although the police have seen a reduction in all categories of accidents, they have nevertheless intensified their traffic campaign, and ranks are now being positioned outside of bars and other drinking places to apprehend inebriated motorists.
Although the move was very unwelcome by shop owners, who have accused the police of ‘killing their businesses’, they have still been made to understand that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) wants customers to be safe, and not drive while drinking.
Motorists have been advised that they should call taxis to take them home, or have a designated driver in place to control a vehicle after a session of drinking.
He revealed that the police have recorded 16 fatal accidents from 16 road accidents this year, while for the corresponding period last year, the police had recorded 25 fatal accidents from 27 road accidents.
Harper added that the major causes of road accidents on the East Coast Demerara corridor are DUI and inattentiveness, both of which are of grave concern to the Guyana Police Force, since many drivers of private vehicles lose control of those vehicles and crash into culverts, bridges and fences, among other places.
Harper explained that most drivers who have died by accident in that ‘C’ Division have lost their lives in that manner, and it would seem that last year’s trend has spilled over to this year, but the police force aims to minimise fatal accidents, if not eradicate them altogether; and as such, has in place a rigid campaign and concomitant measures to address the situation.
Harper disclosed that a current enforcement campaign is in operation in all districts along the East Coast Demerara, and from Mahaica to Mahaicony. It runs from 6pm to 9pm, during which time a roving traffic patrol operates in that area.
He said the traffic patrol is present to alert drivers that the police are monitoring the situation, but there are similar patrols in all other areas from 6pm to 2am, and also during the daytime.
Harper said the police have adopted a ‘no-nonsense’ approach relative to minibus drivers in that route, and within recent weeks, more than 30 of them have been charged for varying traffic offences.
He pointed out that overloading and loud music in minibus still exist and the police want to have those under control before school re-opens; but he noted that some drivers have since begun to comply with police regulations in that regard.
Inspector Harper added that the police are also intensifying their campaign of vehicles with the high beam white head lights, which he says is very dangerous for night driving, because the lights are so bright they are almost ‘blinding’.
He noted that the police are continuing their outreach programmes by having lectures and talks with members of the general public, to highlight basic traffic laws and also to have some sort of training for ranks.
Harper said the police have had many meetings at bus/car parks, in which they try to educate the public and vehicle operators, and at the same time answer their questions. That initiative has had fairly good feedback-police interaction with the general public.
He pointed out that, within the past 7-8 weeks, the police have seen a marked improvement in the general attitude of drivers and pedestrians, and he added that once drivers comply with the traffic laws, there is no problem.
He strongly advised drivers to pull over when they feel tired while driving, and take a nap when tired, since they can fall asleep at the wheel and get into an accident, or even lose their life.
Commander Eric Bassant of the Police ‘C’ Division told the Guyana Chronicle that the general traffic campaign, “Road Order”, is in place countrywide, but on the East Coast Demerara they are continuing their traffic campaign.
He said that so far, they are not doing fairly well owing to their statistics and have been making a lot of traffic cases for even minor traffic offences.
The Assistant Police Commissioner explained that traffic ranks would continue to police the East Coast Demerara corridor and maintain their presence. He added that with the current road project, uneven roads, traffic congestion and the presence of heavy vehicles, the police cannot afford to ‘let up’ in their campaign against traffic lawlessness.
For this year, Police Traffic Headquarters at Eve Leary, Georgetown recorded 52 road accidents with 55 deaths; and for the corresponding period last year, they had recorded 54 road accidents with 58 deaths.