‘Fed Up and Fearful’: Guyanese call for urgent action against reckless driving

Reckless driving on Guyana’s highways has become a pressing issue, leaving citizens from all walks of life frustrated and fearful. From parents and professionals to artists and everyday commuters, the call for stricter enforcement of road laws and improved safety measures is growing louder.
The Guyana Chronicle recently spoke to several people who shared their concerns about the dangers posed by speeding and careless driving. They also proposed solutions to address this growing problem.

Melissa Gordon, a government employee and mother of one, lives with the constant concern for her child’s safety while commuting to and from school. “Collisions and deaths on our highways are almost daily,” she lamented.
Highlighting the lack of adherence to the ‘5Cs’ of road safety – care, courtesy, caution, consideration and common sense – Gordon said it was worrying to see some drivers flagrantly flouting the law.
“As a nation experiencing rapid economic growth, we must focus on adapting to these changes, not just through infrastructure, but also through the way we behave,” she said. Gordon believes that fostering a culture of responsibility and mutual respect on the roads is critical to Guyana’s development.
Greed for speed
Renowned Guyanese artist, Romeo Mystic, echoed these sentiments, criticizing the motivations behind many reckless behaviors. “The speeding we see every day, especially by truck and van drivers, is often about greed. They want to make as many trips as possible without considering the lives they are putting at risk,” he said.

Mystic, who lives in Berbice, recounted how a pleasant family trip to Georgetown turned into a harrowing ordeal due to the aggressive behavior of other drivers.
He proposed several solutions, including tougher penalties for traffic violations and the establishment of a national driving school to instill proper road habits in young drivers. “The current ticketing system is not enough. We need tougher consequences to deter this behavior,” Mystic said.
Female drivers, Latoya Pereira and Kayomie Zammet, also shared their harrowing experiences with inconsiderate truck and minibus drivers. Both women, employed by Guyana Port Inc. and Citizens Bank, respectively, revealed that their mental health was adversely affected by the constant fear of being run off the road or involved in an accident.

“Not knowing if you’re going to get to work or home safely is something no one should have to endure,” Zammet said.
POLICE FOR CHANGE
While they congratulated the President Dr. Irfaan Ali and his administration for the continued development of Guyana, Gordon, Mystic, Pereira and Zammet urged the President and Vice President to take swift and decisive action. They suggested measures such as tougher penalties for speeding, stricter enforcement of traffic laws and a zero-tolerance approach to reckless driving.

As Guyana continues its transformation into a regional leader, citizens agree that ensuring road safety must be a priority. With lives at stake, the nation’s development cannot rely on infrastructure alone, but must also focus on fostering a culture of responsibility and respect on its roads.