THE upsurge in road accidents in Region 6 has resulted in collaborative efforts being made between the police and other major stakeholders to revamp the dormant regional Road Safety Association.

The new body is aimed at raising the level of awareness of road safety whilst curtailing the seeming culture of carelessness being displayed by most persons utilising the thoroughfares in the East Berbice/Corentyne region.

The initiative, birthed by Region 6 Traffic Chief, Assistant Police Superintendent, Boodnarine Persaud, has resulted in a multi-stakeholder meeting being held at the Jama Masjid Youth Centre in the Lower Corentyne community of Ankerville in Port Mourant.

In his opening remarks, Persaud called upon all classifications of road users, especially motorists, to practise defensive driving, as he lamented the wanton loss of life on the region’s roadways. Nineteen persons, including three children, have lost their lives as a result of 17 accidents that occurred along the Region 6 roadways.

In a comparative analysis, Persaud noted that during the same period in 2013, there were 12 road accidents that resulted in the deaths of four children and eight adults.
He noted also that since the introduction of the breathalyzer test and the speed gun, drastic reduction in road mishaps have been observed.

The regional traffic chief is optimistic that partnerships between members of the public through various interest groups, such as a road safety association, would help harness lawlessness on the roadways through education and increased awareness of safe road use.

Reviewing the statistics for the past ten years in that regional division, the assistant police superintendent noted that pedestrians comprise the largest group of road users to have lost their lives on the roadways between the years 2005 and 2014.

The fatality statistics are as follows: pedestrians – 94; pedal cyclist – 47; passengers – 24; occupants – 27; drivers – 28; motor cyclists – 37; pillion riders – four, and jockeys – one.

Coordinator of the National Road Safety Council, Ms. Romona Doorgen, facilitated the reformation of the new body that is tasked with promoting safe and responsible road use across the Number One, (Mara/Port Mourant) and Number Two (Whim/Orealla) policing sub-divisions in the region. The body of elected office bearers comprises stakeholders from several key agencies, reflecting an even spread of representation across the region.

Those elected to give service as executive members of the association are as follows: Chairman – Mustapha Ali; Vice Chairman – Anil Beharry; Secretary – Melissa Punch; Treasurer – Omeshwar Sirikishun; and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer – Michael Itwaru. The executive body would be supported by the following committee members, who also were elected on the same day: Voilka Jaikishun, Reginald Matthews, Haimchandra Persaud, Narendra Nauth Looknauth, Wayne Simpson, Hemant Narine, Sahadeo Singh, and Intikhab Sakoor.

Other members of this broad-based Region 6 Road Safety Association are Bhopaul Jhagroo, Melissa Ramdeen, Harry Dass Ghaness, Vemen Walters, Leekha Rambrich, Imran Hamid, Nandeshwar Loknath, Ganeshwar Narainsamy, Paul Monsee, Fazal Mohamed and Nazlim Ameerally.

Reflecting on the successful elections, Chairman Ali, who has for decades been volunteering his services to promote safe and responsible road use, stated that the main focus is to get this new body functioning, and fulfilling its mandate as an educator, advocate and facilitator.

He applauded the new approach by the regional traffic chief ASP Persaud, and his ranks which attracted broad-based membership, with representation from reputable agencies sitting on the association.

(By Jeune Bailey-Vankeric)