— as 49 motorcyclists, 25 pedestrians died

SPEED continues to be the single most lethal factor on Guyana’s roads, with about 85 per cent of all fatal crashes in 2025 linked directly to speeding, Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh has confirmed.
Speaking last Friday at the launch of the Guyana Police Force’s Christmas Policing Plan, Singh described the trend as “deeply troubling,” noting that the majority of deadly collisions are entirely preventable.
He revealed that 18 of this year’s fatal accidents involved single vehicles whose drivers lost control and slammed into bridges, medians or walls. He stated that many accidents were as a result of “poor judgement and excessive speed.”
“The entire time clock accounts for accidents overall. But the most notable span is morning to midnight for fatal accidents. Speeding alone has accounted for more than at least 85 of our fatal accidents,” he said.
Updated data presented by the Traffic Chief show that vulnerable road users continue to face the greatest threat. So far for 2025, 49 motorcyclists have died in crashes, along with 25 pedestrians, while 15 drivers, 7 passengers, 8 pedal cyclists and 10 pillion riders also lost their lives.
Singh stressed that the figures could have been significantly lower had motorists exercised basic discipline.
“This could have been lower. It could have been lower if not only us in the equation of safety were taking the time to make the effort. Personal responsibility is not transferable, and it starts with us,” he said bluntly.
Singh warned that motorcyclists, in particular, continue to top fatality charts because of risky manoeuvres, lack of safety gear, and failure to follow signals.
“Not even safety held within our possession, the wearing of helmets, is being adhered to,” he said.
Pedestrians also remain highly vulnerable, especially in shopping districts, expanded housing areas, and growing commercial corridors. Singh urged drivers to move with heightened caution.
“As Guyana expands, more vehicles are on the road, and more people are moving through public spaces. You must stay aware,” he said.
The Traffic Chief said the expanded enforcement posture for the Christmas season will aggressively target speeding, drunk driving, and dangerous manoeuvres using radar guns, SRIS cameras, and increased mobile patrols.
He reminded motorists that new traffic engineering upgrade, including speed radars along the East Coast, East Bank and in Region Three, were placed specifically to warn drivers before they reach dangerous speeds.
“Those digital signs you see and pay no heed to play an important role,” he said. “They remind you of the rate of speed you are travelling. They will help you reduce the severity of injuries when accidents occur and save lives.”
Singh said the 2025–2026 national theme for road safety, “Careful Driving Saves Lives,” is already being operationalised through sector-based deployment; 24-hour CCTV monitoring; the Safe Road Intelligence System (SRIS) and the expansion of command centres across the coast.