THE East Bank of Demerara has recorded the highest number of fatal road accidents among the three policing divisions in Region Four, with 19 fatal crashes resulting in a similar number of deaths, according to Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mahendra Singh.
Singh made this known during an appearance on the Starting Point podcast, where he said the East Bank division was followed by Region Four A, covering Central Georgetown, and the East Coast, with each recording 14 fatal accidents and 14 deaths.
The figures form part of the Traffic Department’s ongoing assessment of road crashes as police seek to direct enforcement resources towards areas where accidents are most prevalent.
Singh said the department relies on data-driven analysis and “black spot” management to determine where officers should be deployed, particularly given that road accidents do not occur in one fixed location.
“Black spot management helps us now to know where to deploy,” he said, adding that data analysis allows the department to better understand where the demand for traffic enforcement exists.
According to Singh, this approach is intended to minimise wastage of limited manpower while ensuring that officers are positioned where they are most needed.
The Traffic Chief’s remarks come against the backdrop of an overall reduction in road accidents, although fatal crashes remain a major concern.
He said 83 fatal accidents have been recorded this year, resulting in 89 deaths, compared with 84 fatal accidents and 93 deaths during the corresponding period last year.
The number of children killed in fatal accidents has also declined, from five last year to two this year.
Across all categories of road accidents, Singh said there has been a 19 per cent decrease nationally.
Despite the overall reduction, speeding remains the leading contributor to fatal crashes. Singh said 65 fatal accidents this year were attributed to speeding, compared with 70 last year.
Inattentiveness has also emerged as a growing contributor, accounting for 14 fatal accidents this year compared with nine last year. Fatal accidents involving pedestrians crossing the path of moving vehicles increased from four to five.
Singh said the Traffic Department has responded through consistent and visible enforcement, public awareness programmes and greater use of technology.
Further to this, he said the department is preparing for the country’s expanding road network by establishing plans for police outposts and mobile patrols along new roads once they are commissioned.
The Traffic Chief said the objective is to ensure that enforcement and deterrence are incorporated into the management of new road corridors from the outset.
