| Although measures have been put in place to address the incidence of road accidents, the problem still remains a major challenge for Guyana. This notion was emphasised recently by Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy.According to the minister, the death rate because of road accidents is 26 per 100,000 in the population. This, he pointed out, is on par with the situation that exists throughout the Americas. “Throughout the Americas, the death rate is 26.1.This is significantly high. In Africa it is 30, but globally it is 18, so that Guyana’s prevalence in terms of road accident deaths, while it is the same as in Latin America, it is higher than the global figure of 18.”For this reason, the minister disclosed, every effort must be made to sustain measures to reduce road accidents.It is the minister’s belief that the implementation of laws that will address the issues of music in public transportation and alcohol use will effectively diminish the problem.“5.4 per cent of all deaths in Guyana are due to alcohol consumption, whether it is through road accidents, domestic violence, or just crime; and therefore we have to address the alcohol problem.”According to the minister, traffic officials can confirm that many accidents are related to the consumption of alcohol, thus the need for the enactment of necessary laws.“In some quarters, I hear people talking about the ‘Ramsammy Law’, about the two beers or two drinks, and people say that that is too low. I would like to remind them that the Guyana level (of alcohol intake) is 0.08 per cent. In the United States it is 0.05, so ours is still a little high.”But, according to the minister, the fact of the matter is that people should not consume alcohol when they have to drive, because even with two drinks their alertness level could be impaired.He speculated that, should a driver see danger and need to draw the brakes, a-three-quarters-of-a-second’s delay could mean that the brakes would not be applied on time.“With two drinks, that could be a second, that could add another 30 to 40 feet before the brakes are applied. And so many times it is too late,Wholesale Hockey Jerseys Online, even when you see the danger.”In this regard, Minister Ramsammy pointed out, the efforts of the Guyana Road Safety Council could be directed towards ensuring that the laws of Guyana are known widely.He noted that helping to familiarise people with the laws of the land should be done through advocacy activities in schools,Vapormax Plus Scontate, churches,Cheap Jerseys Store, and even in homes, a process which cannot be the task of merely the traffic department of the Guyana Police Force.And advocacy, the minister said,Cheap Stitched Jerseys, must be engaged urgently, since there are those who continue to use the road in an irresponsible way.“I have travelled all over the world, and sometimes I believe that the most reckless users of the road come from Guyana.I know drivers who say to themselves that ‘it is not my responsibility, it is their responsibility; I am on this road and it is my road’.”The situation is further compounded by the way that the road is used by pedestrians,China NFL Jerseys, the minister opined.He disclosed that 30 per cent of all road deaths in Guyana are pedestrians who would choose to walk across a road without first observing if the road is clear.In advocating for better use of the roads, the minister said that efforts must be made to ensure that,Cheap Dallas Cowboys Throwback Jerseys, even from a very young age, children are able to learn how to use the road wisely. |
