By Samuel Sukhnandan
Denise Dias
Founder 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 in Guyana, while lamenting that too many “lil’ boys” were being licensed to drive trucks and busses.
Dias, in a recent interview, told Guyana Times International 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? It’s 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 peoples 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 drivers license.”
Dias said a system should be developed, whereby drivers, when renewing their licences, would have to retake the 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.
Breathalyser progamme
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.
