| -11 fatalities in 22 days by Romila BoodramShould ‘Road Safety Month’ be completely removed from the Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s list of activities?This is a question being asked by many persons especially since there have already been 11 fatalities for this month, making it the fourth deadliest period for road users.Statistics acquired from the Police Traffic Department showed that there were 11 deaths in just 22 days in November,Cheap Carolina Panthers Jerseys, which is designated as Road Safety Month.With 14 deaths, February, May and July have had more road deaths.According to figures acquired by this newspaper, there were five deaths in January; 10 in March, seven in April; eight in June; eight in August; 10 in September and six in October.The drivers were killed in most of the accidents and according to a Traffic Officer, this is as a result of drivers being under the influence of alcohol or speeding on the country’s roadways.One senior traffic official stressed that young and inexperienced drivers are the major cause for fatalities in the country.“The other day, when that little boy (Keith Adams) was killed at Parfaite Harmonie, how long do you think the driver had his licence? It was only a couple months.”“And also, some of these drivers, only God knows how they get licences. The other day, I stopped at the traffic light and a lil boy at the back of me blowing his horn all the time. You know, when the light changed, I still didn’t drive. I waited until he came out his car to come and cuss me to deal with him,” the Traffic Officer related.When asked how effective the month of November, which is designated annually as Road Safety Month, turns out to be, the Traffic official said, “Well as you can see, every year,Cheap NBA Jerseys China, November is one of the months that record sometimes the highest deaths.”November 2014 was the second deadliest month of the year, with 16 road fatalities in just 27 days.Meanwhile, in an interview with this newspaper,Alex English Jersey, a member from the Guyana Road Safety Council (GRSC), Shahab Hack said that what is happening on the country’s roadways is total madness.Hack said that road safety should not be observed once a year but it should be a daily exercise.“It has to be an ongoing exercise. It should be happening every day. Only education can stop this carnage.”According to the GRSC member, there is nothing more the police can do to prevent road fatalities.“If you choose to leave home at 2 p.m. and go drinking and driving, then that is your choice, and our mindset is what we need to change.”Hack said that when drivers start adhering to the five ‘Cs’ of driving- Care, Caution, Commonsense, Consideration and Courtesy, then there will be significant reduction in fatalities.On November 16 last, a taxi driver struck and killed six-year-old Keith Adams at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara while he was on his way to school.The driver allegedly lost control of his vehicle and struck the lad after which he ran over him, crushing him in the process.On November 08, last, 22-year-old Gangadai Persaud lost her life when her husband tried to turn on the Demerara Habour Bridge,China NFL Jerseys, but reversed off the bridge instead.Between September 27 to 28, last, a Police Constable and a young woman were among four people killed within two days in separate road accidents.Those killed have been identified as 75-year-old Kishian Manglani of Lot 2D First Street,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, Bel Air Park; Police Constable Jermaine Harlequin,Basket Nike Air Max Pas Cher, 20, of Lot 8 Phoenix Park, West Bank Demerara (WBD); Delicia Simpson, 20 and a male who was unidentified at the time.Kaieteur News was told that the policeman was heading home from a party on a motorcycle when he collided with a car at Phoenix Park Junction. He was killed on the spot.Kishian Manglani on the other hand was heading to the Shell Gas Station on Regent Street,Cheap NFL Jerseys, Georgetown when he was struck by a car. He died while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).Also, Delicia Simpson of Pomeroon was in a Sports Utility Vehicle with several friends when the motor vehicle suffered a blowout and the driver of the car lost control of his vehicle. The SUV reportedly overturned at Timehri.Simpson died on the spot.On November 04 last, another motorist, died while driving on the Lusignan Public Road, East Coast Demerara. |
