2 news
saturday, november 23, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com
“Too many lil’ boys driving” – Dias urges tougher enforcement of traffic laws By Samuel Sukhnandan
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ounder of Mothers in Black Denise Dias is calling on government to make road safety a national priority, in order to reduce the increasing number of road accidents here, while lamenting that too many “lil’ boys” were being licensed to drive trucks and busses. Dias, in a recent interview, told Guyana Times that while the current administration has made some steps to curb the issue, a more concerted effort is needed for real results. Dias asserted that unless the matter is addressed in a holistic manner, the issue will continue to be a serious problem. She believes that there are many loopholes in the system, which contributes to unsafe roads. According to her, the laws are not being enforced enough, and there continues to be high levels of corruption (bribery), among other issues. “How can we avoid the bribery and corruption? Its there and it’s blatant,” she said. Reports have indicated that Guyana is losing many young people – especially men between the ages of 18-25 – to drunk driving. “And imagine we have youngsters behind the wheel who never had any experience, but they are driving our loved ones in buses and cars.” There continues to be a high number of drivers who have not gone through driving
school, or have even taken the driver’s examination. On that note, Dias referred to the accident which occurred on the Coverden, East Bank Demerara Public Road that saw Rupesh Bhagwandin, 20, being charged with causing death by dangerous driving. Bhagwandin was driving the sand truck that crashed into a route 72 minibus, killing four persons on the spot. According to Dias, there are many more young drivers like Bhagwandin, who have little experience in driving, but are taking up driving jobs in taxi services, driving minibuses and trucks.
Need for retesting
The Mothers in Black founder is also calling on government to move swiftly to have minibus and hire car drivers retested. “Let them do the test over. I know people are going to be crying and wailing and saying no, but unfortunately, it’s getting more and more on people's doorsteps… where we got this can’t happen to me attitude, but it can happen to any family in Guyana, I think that everybody that drives a public vehicle should be called back in and retested, because I know for a fact that many of those people have bought their driver's license.” Dias said a system should be developed, whereby drivers, when renewing their licences, would have to retake the
opportunity to advise the public about dangerous and drunk driving and the consequences.
Breathalyser progamme
Mothers in Black founder Denise Dias
test, in order to be issued a new licence. She noted that computerising the system will help to achieve many of these goals, noting that the judicial system is currently inundated with cases of speeding. It is a known fact that during the Christmas season, the number of road fatality increases. Dias is therefore pleading with drivers, especially young people, that if they go out to party, they should take a reliable taxi or minibus operator, rather than drive home alone. “Don’t say it can’t happen to you, it can, it happened to my daughter and many people,” she added. Young people are needed to develop Guyana and the country cannot afford to lose more young people to accidents caused by careless or drunk driving. Using a mobile phone while driving continues to be a huge issue, not only in Guyana, but throughout the world, she said. With the upcoming race meet slated to take place at the Guyana Racing Circuit, Dias said the organisers should use the
When asked whether she believes that the breathalyser programme of the Guyana Police Force is as effective as it should be, Dias said in some cases it has been effective. However, she thinks that a proper structure should be put into place. She explained that in most cases, drunk drivers are out in the evening and suggested that more police presence is needed during that period. This, she said, is something that has been lacking. According to her, with a computerised system in place, the resources earned from speeding tickets and other fines, the police could be given extra incentives for catching drunk drivers and it could possibly help to curb the culture of police collecting bribes. Dias noted that a lot more has to be done generally in order to curb the increasing number of deaths caused by road accidents. This, she, said will need a more collective approach with a larger investment made towards the sector, especially in the area of traffic control.(samuelsukhnandan@ guyanatimesgy.com)
APNU riled about unavailability of water on ferry service
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Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Region Two Councillor Prince Shepherd said the unavailability of drinking water on the Transport and Harbours Department ferry service is unacceptable. Shepherd, who is a frequent user of the facility, raised the matter at a recent Regional Democratic Council (RDC) statutory meeting held the region’s boardroom, Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast. Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud on listening to the APNU councillor, instructed RDC Clerk Sunil Singh to write the Transport and Harbours Department, requesting that it provides drinking water on the two state-of-theart ferries plying the Good Hope-Parika route. People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) councillors said the passengers should be thankful for the facility as it provides traveling at a reduced cost. They pointed out that under the People’s National Congress (PNC) administration, persons had to use umbrellas on the ferry. PPP/C councillors are of the view that the cost to travel to Regions Two and Three has been reduced significantly, as such, passengers can afford to purchase their own water on the boat. Canteen facilities are avail-
APNU Region Two Councillor Prince Shepherd
able on the boat where bottled water is sold. However, the APNU councillor, who seemed determined on having the Transport and Harbours Department provide water for the travelling public free of cost, stood up again and called for drinking water to be provided on the ferries. Region Two Vice Chairman Vishnu Samaroo then suggested that the RDC write the transport department on the issue. With that suggestion, the APNU councillor showed signs of relief and took his seat. Essequibians are very thankful to the government for introducing the Chinesemade vessels, pointing out that they have been of great benefit to them.
Wanton disposal of garbage worries Region Two chairman BY INDRAWATTIE NATRAM
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egion Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud said the wanton dumping of garbage in the
waterways by residents in the Pomeroon-Supenaam areas is a cause for concern. Persaud made the observation during the Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC)
statutory meeting for the month held recently in its boardroom at Anna Regina. According to Persaud, the careless dumping is causing a serious problem for contracted trench cleaners, and warned that it can cause serious flooding during the rainy season. The chairman told councillors that he has received several complaints from residents of Sparta about the dumping of garbage, including carcasses in the main drainage trench. The chairman said an excavator machine had to be sent to the area to clear the waterway because of the careless disposal of refuse. Puran Brothers Garbage Disposal Service is responsible for collecting household garbage from Supenaam to Charity at a small fee from residents. Persaud said the services of Puran Brothers should be utilised and proper management of garbage disposal should be maintained at all times. He called on residents to desist from dumping garbage in the waterways, on road parapets, on the sea wall and in the Atlantic Ocean.