The Guyana Road Safety Council (GRSC) believes a recently enacted Bill could see a reduction this year in road accidents. The Motor Manslaughter Law saw its first charge being instituted this year. On February 4, a 21 year-old Essequibo man was slapped with two counts of vehicular manslaughter.
Coordinator of the Guyana Road Safety Council Ramona Doorgen told Guyana Standard that the law now carries a heavier penalty and fine for causing the death due to dangerous driving. The Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2022 amended the Principal Act by inserting a new section, 35A, which provides for the offenses of motor manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm when driving a motor vehicle under the influence of drink or a drug.
The law now imposes a term of imprisonment of no less than 10 years. On the other hand, bar owners can now face charges for their part in an accident. Once someone leaves a bar intoxicated and enters a vehicle, bar owners are held responsible for their part.
Doorgen however explained that there has been an increase in road accidents so far for the year, when compared to the number of accidents occuring in the corresponding period last year. There has been a total of 12 persons who’ve lost their lives on the roadways.
She highlighted that while speeding and drunk driving continue to be major contributing factors to road accidents, there is now a notable increase in accidents involving motorcycles. She noted that in most instances, due to speeding, riders are losing control and ending up in the path of trucks and other classes of parked vehicles.
“There are various factors that contribute to motorcyclists losing their lives. Some of them are riding at extraordinary speeds. They’re riding recklessly without helmets. Even if they wear a helmet it can reduce their chance of fatality but they are disregarding safety. I don’t know why they are doing it but it is important to put safety first,” Doorgen said.
She noted that the Road Safety Council will not work in isolation to curb road accidents. Doorgen said that along with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Traffic Department, a number of Regional Road Safety Councils have been formed.
“The aim of these councils is to make sure that we deal with road safety from all angles. They will have the responsibility of making sure that certain measures are implemented and that the necessary education surrounding road safety is disseminated to drivers and other motorists,” Doorgen said.
