Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond is urging Guyanese to change the way they approach road use, stressing that every road fatality represents a family devastated by loss. Her appeal came during the annual road safety walk held early Sunday morning, in observance of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2025, under the theme “Careful Driving Saves Lives.”
“These accidents are tragedies we have the power to prevent. The responsibility rests with every Guyanese citizen. One death is too many,” Minister Walrond said.
Guyana has recorded 130 road deaths for 2025, up from 97 in 2024. However, the minister noted that without the interventions of the Government and the Guyana Police Force (GPF), those numbers could have been far worse. She outlined a series of ongoing measures to improve road safety, covering enforcement, education, and infrastructure upgrades.
“We are strengthening enforcement and expanding road safety education. We are improving infrastructure, better lighting, clearer road markings, safer crossings,” she explained. The government has already purchased 1,000 street lights, which are expected to arrive soon, and is increasingly turning to smart technology to curb reckless driving.
Minister Walrond also revealed that discussions are underway to modernise the Road Traffic Act, introducing new offences and stronger penalties. “We are pushing for stronger penalties… stiffer penalties to make it easier to put suspensions on licenses,” she said, noting that the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Attorney General’s Chambers have already been consulted and a draft is in progress.
Traffic Chief Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Singh stressed that education and enforcement must work together. “Let this be a representation of the change we wish to see. Our practices must align with what is lawful. Progress is a must, but not at the expense of safety,” he said. He added that the GPF continues road safety education programmes in schools and collaborates with national and private-sector bodies to promote awareness.
Lucio Bacchus, co-founder of Mothers in Black and a long-standing road safety advocate, made an emotional appeal for caution on the roadways. Having lost her two children to a drunk driver, she urged motorists to take responsibility.
“Drivers, look out for our loved ones on the roadways, they are our future. Don’t drink and drive, save our precious assets, our children,” Bacchus said.
