SENIOR Superintendent Mahendra Singh, Traffic Chief of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), is calling for increased public engagement with traffic education initiatives that aim to bring about lasting positive changes on the nation’s roads.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle in a recent interview, Singh highlighted the GPF’s ongoing efforts to educate school-aged children on road safety across the country.

According to Singh, the GPF has assigned 45 police ranks to schools nationwide, delivering weekly lectures to students on the dos and don’ts of road usage. He commended the students for their adherence to road safety practices, emphasising the importance of the education programmes in preventing accidents.

“I’m extremely happy and pleased that there has not been any report of a school-aged child being involved in an accident or dying due to careless road use,” Singh said. He added that no school-aged child has been reported as a fatality this year due to negligence such as failing to use pedestrian crossings or walking into the path of a vehicle. “The deaths of children that we have had this year were cases where they were passengers in vehicles, with the accident caused by errant drivers,” Singh clarified.

Despite these successes in educating young people, Singh expressed concern over the continued recklessness of some drivers and bar owners, particularly regarding driving under the influence. He noted that many drivers prioritise profit over safety, pushing for more trips without considering the lives at risk.

In response to ongoing issues with road aggression and law violations, Singh proposed the introduction of “drastic measures,” including a system that links the courts, revenue authorities, police, and other agencies through a single database. This system would enforce a demerit point system, where repeated traffic violations could lead to a suspension of the offender’s driver’s licence.

“We will not divorce ourselves from ensuring law and order are upheld, and anyone found guilty will be held accountable,” Singh affirmed.

The Traffic Chief’s comments highlight the need for continued vigilance and stricter enforcement to ensure safer roads for all Guyanese.