GCCI calls for stricter enforcement and penalties to combat “growing” road fatalities

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has expressed grave concern over the escalating number of road fatalities in Guyana, urging the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to intensify enforcement of traffic laws and calling on the government to introduce harsher penalties for violators.

See the full statement issued by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) below:

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has grown increasingly concerned about the growing number of road fatalities as a result of reckless usage of the country’s roadways, and is urging the Guyana Police Force to implement stronger enforcement of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act.

Furthermore, the Chamber is calling on the Government of Guyana to revise the system of penalties to implement stricter consequences for breach of traffic laws. 

 The country continues to be plagued with daily reports of road fatalities, and thus far in the year, there have been 117 deaths as a result of these road accidents. This loss of life cannot be allowed to continue unabated while Guyana loses its valued citizens.

It is therefore crucial that the Guyana Police Force implements a robust education and awareness, and monitoring campaign to ensure that road users operate within the ambit of the law. The State, too, must not turn a blind eye to this issue which has become an epidemic—timely and measured action is needed with great urgency particularly as it relates to legislating stricter penalties against errant road users. 

Beyond the implementation and enforcement of traffic laws, the GCCI is calling on members of the public to utilise the roadways in a safe and responsible manner. Speeding and disregard for traffic laws must not be tolerated, and failure to admonish these behaviours when we witness them may be regarded as complicity in lawlessness.