[www.inewsguyana.com] – Sixty pedestrians died on the country’s roadways in 2014 – a significant increase compared to 2013 where 39 individuals lost their lives.
Further, over 135 fatal traffic accidents occurred last year, which resulted in the deaths of 146 persons, while the year 2013 recorded 112 deaths.
These statistics were revealed by Geoffrey Vaugh, Coordinator of Works Services Group, a unit within the Ministry of Public Works, during a press conference on January 16, 2015.
“Those numbers generated a 23.7 percent increase in fatal accidents and a 23.3 percent increase in fatalities when compared with 2013. Additionally, there was a 37.5 percent increase in the number of children killed on the roadways for 2014 when compared with 2013,” Mr. Vaughn told reporters.
Meanwhile, 26 motor cyclists; 23 passengers; 20 pedal cyclists; 16 drivers and one pillion rider lost their lives in 2014. Twenty four of these accidents occurred along the East Coast Demerara corridor followed closely by the East Bank of Demerara with 21.
During the observance of National Road Safety Month in November 2014, Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn had stated that most of the fatalities involved young men between ages 18-35.
He stressed that Guyanese need to adapt the culture of safety on the roadways because “the country needs its young population for continued development.”
Below is a breakdown of fatal accidents by divisions:
| Division | Accidents |
|
16
7
2
14
13
16
7
8
4
14 |
