– traffic chief

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department has reported a four per cent decrease in accidents and a six per cent decrease in road deaths from accidents for January-November, compared to the corresponding period last year.

This is according to Traffic Chief, Superintendent Linden Isles. Isles was at the time speaking about measures by the Force to ensure the safety and security of residents during the Christmas season at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary on Friday.

He noted that in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) – the East Bank Demerara Sub-Division (Region Four (B)) — special systems have to be put in place since this is a section where most of the serious accidents have been recorded.

“If you look at the statistics, it would show that in 2018, there were 16 accidents with 24 deaths and in 2019, we have 17 accidents with 25 deaths. So special emphasis will be placed in that area. In addition, we can look at Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), we had 14 accidents with 14 deaths in 2018 and 15 accidents with 15 deaths in 2019,” the traffic chief said.

The period November 15, 2018, to January 15, 2019, saw a decrease in traffic accidents.
“We had 22 fatal accidents in 2017 with 22 deaths and in 2018, we had 22 accidents with 23 deaths, which is a reduction. But we know that one death is far too many, so we are looking to have a reduction during the Christmas period. We know this is a period where persons normally imbibe and drive, so we will do extra educational programmes. We will continue to enforce the laws against driving under the influence of alcohol,” the traffic chief said.

Isles also noted that between 2017 and 2019, thus far, there have been over 34,000 vehicles registered in the country with 2017 recording 10,697; 2018 registering 12,321 and up to November of this year, there were 11,614 also registered.

He pointed out that this means that there are many more drivers on the roadways while noting that the majority of the fatal accidents occurred as a result of persons driving under the influence of alcohol.

“This offence we have seen an increase in fatalities with persons driving under the influence of alcohol. Almost 90 per cent of our fatal accidents are caused by persons driving under the influence of alcohol and a combination of speeding”.

Isles added that the GPF Traffic Department will be upping the ante to condignly deal with drivers who are caught driving under the influence.