PRIME Minister Samuel Hinds has challenged all road users to change their approach and behaviour when it comes to the use of the road, if this country is to see a reduction in the number of road accidents.

He issued the challenge while addressing an audience of young people and youth groups who marched on the observance of World Day of Road Accident Victims which was organised locally by the National Road Safety Council.
According to the PM, Guyanese need to convince themselves of the necessity for action to reduce the instances of road accidents, since the rate in this country is very high.
He recalled that, years ago, the Public Works Ministry, in the course of repairing roads, was required to have a study done on the causes of accidents and it revealed that Guyana had an average of fifty times more than the United States (U.S.)
However, Mr. Hinds said in a recent report he received the position is somewhat a bit different with a reduction in the trend.
But he maintained it is a fallacy for anyone to believe that they can drink and still be able to control a vehicle the way they would without alcohol or any other drug in their system.
He said there is a belief that big men can drink and hold their liquor but the fact of the matter is that drunk people do get into accidents.
The things which can see the reduction in accidents are for persons to stay within the prescribed speed limit, drive as fast as the terrain would allow and exercise the five Cs’, the Prime Minister advised.
He remarked that, in addition to deaths caused by road accidents, there are also the issues of pain, trauma, injuries and associated expenses.

(By Leroy Smith)