Traffic Chief of ‘B’ Division, John Daniels informed students from schools across West Berbice last week that out of 37 accidents that occurred in Berbice for this year, there were 43 fatalities with seven being children.

The students were at the time attending a rally at the Fort Wellington Secondary School to observe Road Safety Week. He told them too that multiple fatalities resulted in more deaths than the number of accidents.

Two of the children, he said, lost their lives in West Berbice when the car they were travelling in “ran overboard in a trench.” He said most of the accidents are caused by speeding and the theme: “Stop the Carnage: Slow Down,” could not have been more appropriate.

Noting that “the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has a duty to put systems in place to protect you” the traffic chief also reminded the students that they also need to “use the road safely and protect your lives at all times.”

He said that through the “zero tolerance” campaign the traffic department has embarked on, drivers have been charged for overloading and speeding.

He told the students that they must be properly seated at all times and that it is not “respectful” for drivers and conductors to put them to sit on each other’s laps. He said girls are more vulnerable to this type of practice and it must cease.

Daniels remarked that “road safety is everybody’s business” and urged the students to make use of the pedestrian crossings and sidewalks, walk on the right hand side of the road and observe the curb drill. He also said that cyclists and pedestrians must wear bright-coloured clothing when using the road at nights.

The traffic chief encouraged the students to form patrol groups so they can assist other students to use the pedestrian crossings. He also promised to see that they are equipped with traffic belts so they can be properly identified.

Also present at the rally were former Regional Education Officer Randolph Mitchell who chaired the proceedings; Chairman of Region Five Harrinarine Baldeo; Vice Chairman Karran Persaud Deokarran; Regional Executive Officer Floyd France; and Regional Development Officer Govind Singh.

In his address Baldeo promised that the regional administration would fully support the police in its efforts to reduce accidents to save Guyana’s “human resources.” He stressed that road safety rules should be observed on a daily basis and accidents would be reduced.