Road deaths fall by 30% – police

There has been a 30% reduction in road fatalities for the year up to June month end, compared with the same period last year, police reported yesterday.

In a press release, the Guyana Police Force said there were 39 fatalities in comparison with 56, with drivers being the leading category of those road users killed.

According to the police, 11 drivers lost their lives on the roads by the end of June this year. Ten pedal cyclists and nine pedestrians also lost their lives during this period.

Speeding, it was noted, continues to be a major contributing factor to fatal accidents and it was cited in 28 fatal accidents.

According to the statistics released by police, the bulk of the fatal accidents occurred in ‘A’ Division, which recorded 14, followed by ‘C’ and ‘D’ Division with eight deaths each. Overall, however, ‘A’ Division recorded a 22.2% decrease.

In addition to traffic education, police said, the force is continuing its enforcement activities along with the use of breathalysers and radar guns, and at the end of June this year a total of 33,958 cases were made against errant motorists. Of this total, 8,154 cases were for speeding.