Marginally fewer deaths have been recorded on Guyana’s roadways to date for this year as compared to last year, Traffic Chief Senior Superintendent Linden Isles disclosed yesterday as he unveiled the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Christmas policing plan for the roads.
Isles said that for the year thus far, the GPF has recorded 84 accidents and 94 deaths in comparison to 87 accidents and 100 deaths for the same period last year. Region Four (b) – Eccles to Moblissa – he said, recorded 25 deaths, the highest of all regions, followed by Region Six with 15 deaths.
Meanwhile, he said that arrangements have been put in place by the GPF’s Traffic Department to ensure that persons can traverse the roadways with minimum obstruction, congestion and accidents during the approaching Christmas season. “It is the responsibility of the Traffic Department to preserve the lives of citizens using the roads through continuous traffic management, education and enforcement policies,” Isles said.
He highlighted that Georgetown will be divided into four sectors, with special emphasis being placed on the areas connecting the East Coast and Berbice bus and car parks and the Stabroek Market stelling area.
There will also be an increase in car, motorcycle and foot patrols throughout the country, Isles said. He added that crash trucks will be used in Georgetown for towing vehicles which are illegally parked.
The Traffic Chief further observed that diagonal parking is prohibited around Georgetown and its environs and said that several streets will become no-entry zones to deal with the traffic congestion.
According to Isles, special focus will be placed on driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, using mobile phones while driving, overloaded minibuses and hire cars, motor vehicles causing obstruction, loud music in minibuses and hire cars, and vehicles using blue headlights.
Lorries traversing the East Bank corridor will also be restricted from use of the road at certain times during the week and special emphasis will be placed on arrivals and departures at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, he said.
Isles added that ranks will also be detailed to perform fixed point duties at strategic areas and all major intersections.
The Traffic Chief urged all road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists, to be vigilant when using the road and to take every precautionary measure to ensure their safety.
