Fatal accidents up 18% so far for 2026 – Traffic Chief

An increase in fatal and serious accidents on Guyana’s roadways is raising concern within the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Traffic Department, even as minor collisions have declined, according to Traffic Chief, Mahendra Singh.

Speaking during a recent Traffic Watch broadcast aired on a separate media platform, Singh stressed that road safety remains a shared responsibility and called on all road users to exercise greater caution. “So, as we continue to see development unfold across our country, us in the traffic department, we are cognisant of the fact that genuinely there is an issue that exists on the roadways where accidents occur with a frequency that demands that every single person in the equation of road safety take responsibility seriously,” he said. Providing a statistical comparison, Singh revealed that fatal accidents have increased this year when compared to the same period in 2025.

“Recently, when you do a statistical analysis, we are experiencing present day when compared to last year, an increase in fatal accidents. You have 33 recorded this year up to present day as opposed to 28 last year. That’s an increase by 5 [more deadly crashes] or about 18 per cent [which works out to about an 18 per cent increase],” he noted, adding that serious accidents have also risen.

“You have 35 recorded this year as opposed to 31 last year, which is an increase of over 13 per cent,” Singh added.

Despite those increases, the Traffic Chief pointed out that minor and damage-related accidents have declined significantly, though he cautioned against viewing this as a major achievement. “Minor accidents have reduced to 24 per cent less than last year, and the damage accidents by another 37 per cent less than last year. That doesn’t speak much to really anything that you should boast about from the traffic department standpoint,” he said. Singh maintained that the overall trend highlights the need for stronger adherence to road safety practices.

“There is still much more work to be done. We can do more,” he asserted.

He emphasised that discipline and personal responsibility among all categories of road users are critical to reversing the trend.

“What we demand is that in every space, every driver, every road user, they understand the role that they must play… that caution is not an option and personal responsibility is not optional either,” Singh stated. He added that safer road use is measurable and has direct outcomes. “The discipline with which the road is used… is one which you can actually measure. It’s one which manifests itself daily… it leads to less accidents, greater safety,” he said. The traffic department continues to urge motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to comply with traffic laws as part of a broader effort to reduce accidents and improve safety nationwide.

Over the years, the GPF’s Traffic Department has intensified enforcement through roadblocks, speed guns and public awareness campaigns, particularly during peak travel periods and national holidays.