Dear Editor,
Every year the Rupununi Rodeo takes its toll either in lives lost on the trail or extensive injury and damage to individuals and vehicles. For those who are not very experienced in off-road driving, we would like to share a few hints with you.
* First, make sure you purchase your ticket for crossing on the pontoon at Kurupukari. Tickets are sold at Grace Kennedy in Water Street, Survival Shopping Centre in Sheriff Street, or at MMC’s office in Happy Acres, EC Demerara.
* Make sure your vehicle has been properly serviced.
* Your tyres must be in good condition and not be over-inflated. If over-inflated, they tend to skate on the gravel and on the corrugated or ‘scrubbing-board’ conditions you will meet. For a more comfortable ride, you should consider reducing your tyre pressure just a bit.
* Change to 4-wheel drive as soon as you leave Wismar to go onto the dirt road. You get better traction and braking in 4WD, especially in areas with loose gravel. Do not change back to 2-wheel drive until you are returning at the same point.
* Gear down, rather than brake, before all sharpish bends or bends with gravel.
* Many vehicles have turned over when trying to avoid a hole in the road. Better to maintain your direction than try to swerve away.
* For a less bumpy ride on the scrubbing-board sections, try driving at 60kph (40 mph) or slightly above.
* Keep your seat belts on at all times.
* Do not drive blindly into dust caused by vehicles in front of you. Drop back and put on your lights.
* If you feel tired or sleepy, either stop and get a few minutes rest, or hand over to a relief driver.
* Alcohol is really bad news on this road. You need to be very alert at all times.
* Some parts of the road are now possibly in the best condition they have ever been. Don’t be fooled into speeding. Loose gravel that exists on the Lethem side of the Essequibo River is very treacherous indeed.
* The last hour before Lethem would seem to be easy driving. Again, don’t be fooled. The stretch after the Hunt oil tanks has seen the most accidents! The reason is that this section has the most gravel and the most bends. And drivers tend to be tired and lose concentration. Don’t increase your speed at this point.
* About 30 minutes after the oil tanks, you will see a sign “Dangerous Bend.” This is indeed the most dangerous bend on the entire trail, with the Pirara bridge almost immediately after the bend. People have died here. Slow down.
* Let’s try to keep the trail clean – keep your litter in your vehicle.
* Finally, we are experiencing very dry conditions in Lethem. Fast driving raises a lot of dust that gets into people’s homes. Please be considerate and drive slowly while in Lethem. And watch for the children.
* Let’s aim for an accident-free rodeo this year. Have a great time!
Yours faithfully,
Clairmont Lye
Lethem Citizens’ Committee
