The Government of Guyana is exploring stricter penalties aimed at curbing reckless driving, as announced by Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond. Speaking at a Road Safety Awareness Walk on Sunday, Walrond highlighted the ministry’s ongoing collaboration with the Guyana Police Force to amend traffic regulations and road laws.
New draft amendments have been developed, with the minister indicating a focus on introducing harsher penalties for existing offenses and making it more straightforward to suspend driving licenses. “Right now, it’s an arduous process to do that [suspend licenses],” she remarked, emphasizing the need for more efficient measures.
The urgency for these reforms comes amid alarming statistics: as of last week, 110 people have lost their lives on the country’s roadways due to accidents, recorded from 99 fatal incidents this year. This figure shows a slight increase compared to 107 deaths from 95 fatal accidents in the same period during 2024.
November has been designated as Road Safety Awareness Month, themed “Careful Driving Saves Lives.” Local authorities are ramping up efforts to educate the public, enhance enforcement measures, and incorporate advanced technology for monitoring and managing road safety effectively.
The government’s commitment to improving road safety reflects a broader ambition to protect citizens and reduce the rising trend of road-related fatalities.
