The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) is working on a national strategy for road safety which will make it an obligation for all stakeholders to assist in keeping the country’s roadways safe. It is expected to be formalized within the first quarter of next year.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA) Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee made the announcement, and said that the strategy would serve as a road map for road safety improvement in Guyana.

Rohee also said that with the government’s support the NRSC would continue its public education programme and would be launching the theme “Arrive Alive” which was expected to raise the consciousness of road users and encourage proper road use culture.

Meanwhile, as Road Safety Week began yesterday against a backdrop of an escalation in road fatalities of over 50% over last year’s figures, Rohee appealed for drivers to slow down. The week is being observed under the theme “Stop the carnage, Slow Down” and GINA quoted Rohee as saying “We must slow down on our roads. I issue an appeal to all drivers particularly mini-bus drivers to slow down. This is one of the ways in which we can stop the carnage.”

There has been a 52 per cent increase in fatal accidents as compared to last year and the Guyana Police Force supported by the Home Affairs Ministry has mounted a Road Safety Campaign to prosecute drivers and other road users who fail to comply with the rules of the road. Measures include the introduction of traffic tickets and a steep increase in fines. The release said that measures may also be implemented to make drivers who drive recklessly, responsible for any damage done to public property, particularly the traffic lights.

Road Safety week began with a church service at the St George’s Cathedral yesterday and among other activities, the Mothers in Black in collaboration with the NRSC will observe the ‘World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims,’ where a candlelight vigil will be held in honour of those persons who have been killed and injured on the roads. There will also be a road safety walk, education rally, and the releasing of 500-1000 black helium balloons for persons to write the names of their loved ones who have died in road accidents.

So far this year, 192 people including 27 children were killed in road accidents as compared to 126 persons including 18 children last year. This represents a 52 per cent increase in deaths as a result of road accidents.