THERE’S a new and foolhardy trend developing here, whereby people are either crossing the road while texting, talking on their cell-phones or listening to music via their headphones.This is in direct contravention of the laws governing road safety practices, according to Coordinator of the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC), Ramona Doorgen.

She said it is a very unsafe practice, because they are not alert and a series of unfortunate things can happen.

Meanwhile, Doorgen announced that Road Safety Month will be celebrated from November 1 and a calendar of activities has been planned.

She added that their aim is to promote road-safety awareness and public education to a wide cross-section of citizens because they want to get the message out that “road safety is everybody’s business.”
ATTITUDE CHANGE
Doorgen said that there must be an attitude change and once that happens “we will see a transformation on our roads where there will be less accidents and fatalities.”

She stated that drunk driving is also worrying and people must be held accountable for their actions because “we have too many fatalities as is.”

Doorgen told this publication that drivers need to be courteous and allow people to cross the roads, drawing attention to the plight of the elderly, children and others who have to endure a considerable wait before they can do so.

She disclosed that during Road Safety Month they will focus on training of teachers for schools’ road safety programmes and first-aid training as well.

Doorgen told this newspaper that they have seven road safety associations so far and another will come on stream shortly. They are working collaboratively with the Guyana Police Force, the Pan American Health Organisation, the Ministry of Public Security and the Road Safety Association.

Meanwhile, she is urging members of the public to get involved in their activities since they need to bring about change and for that to take place people must come out and support their efforts.

Doorgen also encouraged citizens to do their part in road safety even if it is assisting children to cross the roads in their communities.
By Michel Outridge