Traffic Chief pleads with motorists to be responsible

Traffic Chief, Superintendent Dennis Stephen is pleading with motorists to be responsible and practice caution on the roadways.

Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Thursday, Stephens revealed that 34 persons, seven females, one child, and 26 males have already lost their lives to road accidents this year.

He disclosed that Region Six (East Berbice – Corentyne) accounts for a high number of deaths, as seven persons lost their lives there.

Meanwhile, 81 persons received serious injuries due to road accidents when compared to 96 last year. It was highlighted that 90 per cent of road accidents are caused by speeding.

“All road users must be responsible while using the road, drive within the safe rate of speed where you can have total control of your vehicle in event of any danger ahead. Do not drink and drive, and be responsible when you attend social activities because most of our accidents for this year would have been by speeding,” he said.  

Superintendent Stephen also noted that driving under the influence of alcohol has also been identified as one of the main challenges to road safety. Over 300 persons have been prosecuted for driving under the influence of alcohol for 2023 so far.  

The traffic department is conducting several campaigns to ensure road safety.

The traffic chief added, “We are monitoring, we would have made several engagements. We would have enhanced our enforcement targeting the offences that relate to road accidents.”