Even as Guyana recorded a 21 per cent reduction in road accidents during the first half of 2026, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is raising alarm over a troubling increase in pedestrian fatalities, prompting renewed public education efforts on road safety.
Traffic Chief, Mahendra Singh, during an interview on Guyana Chronicle’s Traffic Watch, said the rise in pedestrian deaths has become one of the Force’s greatest concerns, despite overall improvements in the country’s road safety statistics.
“One worrying trend that we have noticed is that more pedestrians are dying on the roadway,” Singh said. “It is something that concerns us to the extent that we think we have to go back to the drawing board and re-engage the public.”
According to Singh, statistical analysis up to June 30, 2026, shows that while accidents continue to occur, they are happening at a lower rate than during the corresponding period last year.
He disclosed that, in addition to the 21 per cent reduction in overall accidents, Guyana has also recorded fewer fatal crashes compared with the first half of 2025.
However, Singh stressed that every road death remains unacceptable.
“One death, like we always say, is one too many,” he said.
The Traffic Chief noted that many of the fatal crashes recorded this year involve single-vehicle collisions, where drivers lose control and crash into roadside infrastructure, often as a result of speeding.
He said these incidents continue to underscore the need for motorists to obey speed limits and exercise greater caution while driving.
Singh also credited the Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS) with contributing significantly to improved road safety.
“The intelligence system has helped us tremendously. Where the cameras are deployed, we have seen a great reduction in terms of all accidents,” he said.
The Traffic Chief explained that the Government intends to expand the SRIS to other parts of the country once major road construction projects are completed.
He noted that installing the expensive equipment during ongoing construction could result in damage or tampering, delaying its rollout.
“As soon as the works are completed, it will be installed across other regions and spaces where it is not presently available,” Singh explained.
Beyond enforcement and technology, Singh emphasised that road safety ultimately depends on responsible behaviour from every road user.
He urged pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and motorists alike to follow traffic laws, obey road signs and signals, and adopt safe practices, including wearing visible clothing when walking at night.
He added that improving road safety is not only about saving lives but also about strengthening Guyana’s image as a safe destination for residents and visitors.
“As more roads are being built and people have greater access to different parts of the country, we want every road user to play a meaningful role in reducing preventable accidents,” Singh said. “Road safety is a shared responsibility.”
