Within seven months, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) recorded a total of 56 vehicular accidents which resulted in 60 deaths.
There were nine deaths in January, six in February and 14 in March. While the month of April saw 11 persons dying in accidents, May recorded five deaths. Finally, there were seven deaths in June and eight in July.
There has been a slight increase in fatal accidents recorded in the country for the first half of 2019 when compared to the same period last year; in 2018 there were 51 recorded deaths resulting from 44 accidents.
It was reported that over 75 per cent of these fatal accidents were caused by persons driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding, or a combination of these two.
Most recently, a few days ago, two persons lost their lives following a two-vehicle smash up on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway. It was reported that the accident occurred around 20:00 hrs at the One Mile turn on the highway. News reaching the Guyana Standard stated that the motorcar, HC 2554, was travelling in the eastern direction heading up the highway, while an SUV was coming from the opposite direction when the two vehicles crashed head-on.
After the accident, the passengers were taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where a woman was pronounced dead on arrival. The other passengers were then transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) where the driver died while receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, just recently, a man lost his life on the Linden-Lethem trial after a truck carrying logs turned over.
According to information, at around 14:00 hrs, the driver of a motor lorry with registration number BCC 9430 reached the top of a hill when the trailer, which was loaded with logs, suddenly began to descend. It was reported that the driver attempted to change gear but the vehicle toppled downhill.
The injured persons were sent to the Linden Hospital Complex for treatment.
Also, on the list of road fatalities is little miss Ciara Benjamin who died in a horrific accident on the Agricola Public Road. At the time of the accident, the eight-year-old was attempting to cross the road.
The child was at the time in the company of her aunt when a truck driver lost control of his vehicle and slammed into the structure, crushing the child and killing her instantly. Many of the persons who are responsible for these fatal accidents are currently before the courts.
