| – Road Safety Executive By Abena RockcliffeRetired Major General Norman McLean, an executive member of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), yesterday called for the courts to be “consistent” in its rulings and opined that enforcement of traffic laws and mass edification about them is the collaborative key to significantly reducing road fatalities in Guyana.The former Army Chief was addressing the year’s first press briefing of the NRSC at its Secretariat,Cheap Jerseys, located at the Guyana Red Cross Building, Barrack Street, Kingston.McLean, who was once the Traffic Chief, categorically condemned the inconsistent rulings being handed down by the court.“You see persons being placed on $100,000 and 200,Authentic Soccer Jerseys Free Shipping,000 bail for theft, but persons who are responsible for loss of lives due to road accidents being granted bail as low as 10,Cheap Jerseys,000.”From left: NRSC Coordinator Ramona Doorgen,CHeap NFL Jerseys China, Traffic Chief, Hugh Denhert,Jerseys Cheap NFL, NRSC Chairman Nigel Erskine, Treasurer Colvern Venture and Executive member Norman McLeanHe said that stiffer penalties need to be handed down to serious traffic offenders “simply because lives are involved”.NRSC’s Coordinator Ramona Doorgen disclosed that the road fatalities figures have been decreasing over the years. It was explained that if the rate continues to decline, Guyana could see a 50% deduction by 2020. However, that favourable trend does not seem to be continuing this year, as 12 fatalities have already been recorded so far as opposed to 10 during the same period in 2012.Doorgen spoke of the programmes that the organisation has been carrying out in schools and emphasised that “we always include the Guyana Police Force Traffic department in everything we do.” She pledged that this year the NRSC has plans to take sensitisation about road safety to another level.The coordinator informed media operatives that most of the road fatalities last year were as a result of accidents involving motorcycles, therefore, plans are in place to focus more on riders. She said that the police also have a plan to target the aforementioned.Recently appointed Traffic Chief, Hugh Denhert, who said that his aim is to reduce road fatalities to below 100 per year, was questioned as to why a 17-year-old involved in a fatal accident over the weekend has to date only been charged with driving under the influence as opposed to causing death by dangerous driving. The officer responded that the police are still carrying out investigations and the youth remains in custody.He explained that it was already proven that the teen was driving under the influence; hence that charge. But after he was placed on bail by the court the police apprehended him again and are continuing to investigate the incident and more charges are imminent.Pointing to the fact that education about road safety has been ongoing for more than 64 years, Denhert was faced with the question as to why he thinks education is still the answer as against,China Jerseys, according to veteran journalist Francis Farrier, “locking these people up and throwing away the key.”The traffic chief responded that education has been proven to be important and it “must” continue to play an integral part in the fight against road fatalities and road safety irregularities.He used the opportunity to state that it is extremely important that the traffic department becomes more equipped with “modern” testing equipment.Farrier challenged Denhert as new traffic chief, to “put a stop to touting on the bus park.” The journalist said that it encourages the possibility of accidents “when one bus just shoots past another and blocks him off just to get passengers faster.” Denhert said that addressing “touting” has been an ongoing exercise for the traffic department. |
