ROAD fatality statistics in Guyana show that the country has been making some positive strides, considering that the average fatality rate in Guyana is 15 deaths per 100,000 of population,  which is a reduction from a high of 27 deaths per 100,000 of population in 2007, according to  Transport Senior Specialist of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB),  Mr. Christopher Persaud. The  IDB representative said that  this demonstrates the strides the country has already made, but  it  should be noted that some countries have reached five deaths per 100,000 and are aiming for zero fatality.
The  Transport Senior Specialist, speaking at the launching of the Guyana National Road Safety Strategy Plan Workshop 2013-2020 on  Wednesday, also noted that road safety is a main area of focus.
He pointed out that the vulnerable road users  include pedestrians and cyclists who account for 60% of annual road fatalities and male fatalities are three times that of females, and these fatalities and injuries are usually persons who are in the prime of their lives.
Road crashes and its consequences have been calculated to have an annual economic cost to countries in the range of 1.5% and 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Persaud noted that the IDB is pleased to be part of the launching of the Guyana National Road Safety Strategy Plan 2013- 2020, which is a key element in Guyana meeting its target for the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, which is a 50% reduction of traffic fatalities from the 2010 number of 115 deaths.
Road safety, he added,  is an issue that involves many sectors such as law enforcement, health and education.
The future for road safety is challenging as the rate of motorisation rapidly increases with approximately 10,000 new vehicles being registered annually.  
A key indicator for measuring safety risks on roads is the amount of vehicle mileage covered along a road section or network; and correlation has been made between the increase of vehicle mileage and road crashes. Guyana’s growing vehicle fleet translates to more mileage and the higher risk of crashes.
Persaud went on to state that in order for Guyana to effectively monitor its road safety initiatives, emphasis needs to be placed on the collection, storage and analysis of data.
In the meantime, the IDB is encouraging  all road safety stakeholders to collaborate on the execution of the Guyana National Road Safety Strategy in order to ensure that the country meets and surpasses its 2020 fatality reduction objective, since one road fatality is one too much.