— as 92 traffic deaths recorded thus far in the year

NINETY-TWO persons have died in 79 fatal accidents thus far for the year and texting and cell calls have been attributed as one of the many causes, Traffic Chief Dion Moore said.

Moore said as of Tuesday, there have been 20 per cent decrease in fatal accidents and a 16 per cent decrease in deaths.

“One death is too many and there is need for persons to start taking charge of their own lives,” he said while speaking at the launch of the Guyana National Road Safety Month of Activities 2017 at the Ministry of Public Security Boardroom, Brickdam on Tuesday.

In attendance was GNRSC Coordinator Ramona Doorgen, Superintendent of Police Owen Trotz, Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) representative Pauline Thompson, Hand in Hand Insurance representatives and Vice Chairman of the West Demerara Road Safety Association, Shahab Hack.

Under the theme “Making the road safer for everyone starts with you, observe, think, drive, a second is all it takes to save a life,” the GNRSC launched its month of activities Wednesday in Berbice.

The traffic chief said the attitudes of persons using the roadways are of great importance since many accidents are a result of poor choices.

He explained that the construction of the pedestrian overpasses will help in reducing accidents at busy intersections.

Works on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) pedestrian overpasses at Houston, Peter’s Hall, Eccles and Diamond, East Bank Demerara continue to move apace.

Superintendent Moore said for the month of activities, more ranks will be dispatched for enforcement, vehicular patrols and educating the public.

“Making the road safer for everyone starts with you. In order for the roads to be safe it involves you, lets us observe, think, drive since it only takes one second to save a life,” Moore underscored.

He said many times drivers blame accidents on the conditions of the roadways, but regardless of the state of the thoroughfares, drivers must drive in accordance with the conditions of the roads.

“If it’s raining you cannot drive at the same speed as when the road is dry, speeding is the results of most accidents,” he noted, adding: “Every accident leaves someone in distress; drivers must exercise care, caution, courteous, consideration and common sense.”

GNRSC Coordinator Ramona Doorgen said the White Knight Campaign will also be in full effect and she is encouraging President David Granger, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and other senior member of society to come out in support of the activities to educate society on the seriousness of road safety.

Superintendent of Police Owen Trotz also said the White Knight Campaign will be held in Berbice, Linden, Georgetown, Essequibo and Lethem.

West Demerara Road Safety Association Vice Chairman Shahab Hack said the association holds road safety activities throughout the year and there is need for corporate support to further assist in the works of the GNRSC in its public awareness campaign.