World Bank official presses need to tackle road fatalities in Guyana
As National Road Safety Month is being observed under the theme “Careful Driving Saves Lives,” World Bank Group Resident Representative for Guyana, Diletta Doretti, has issued a strong call for action to address the alarming number of lives lost on the country’s roads.
She noted that while Guyana’s rapid development is visible along busy corridors like the East Coast highway, where commuters, schoolchildren and heavy trucks all share tight roadways, the reality is that these same roads have become “corridors of risk.” White crosses and roadside memorials now mark the spots where daily journeys turned tragic.
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips recently disclosed that between 2020 and 2024, Guyana recorded 574 crashes that claimed 642 lives, including 24 children. With a road death rate of 15 per 100,000 people, Doretti stressed that road safety must remain a top national priority.
To help reverse this trend, Guyana has set an ambitious target to reduce annual fatalities to fewer than 50 by 2030. This effort is being supported through the Integrated Transport Corridors Project, funded by the World Bank and led by the Government of Guyana, which aims to upgrade major road networks with strong focus on safety and climate resilience.
Doretti said the initiative aligns with the globally recognised Safe System approach, designing roadways that protect all users even when mistakes occur. Planned improvements such as safer pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, bike lanes, crash barriers, traffic-calming interventions, and speed-control measures will directly address one of the leading causes of death on the roads: speeding.
The project spans Regions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10 and is designed to improve access to schools, hospitals and economic opportunities, ensuring safer travel for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and especially children.
Beyond engineering upgrades, the project will also focus on climate adaptation, introducing elevated roadways, improved drainage and nature-based solutions to ensure safety during extreme weather.
Importantly, Doretti underscored that the work is not only about infrastructure, but also about empowering people. Certified training will be offered to women for roles in road construction and maintenance, expanding employment opportunities and promoting equality.
Reflecting on the nation’s commitment, she affirmed that Guyana is building toward a future where “safe, inclusive and sustainable progress is the standard,” and where no family loses a loved one simply because they were travelling on the road.
“Guyana’s roads should not inspire fear; they should unite communities, enable commerce, and bring families safely to their destinations,” she said, echoing the words of the Prime Minister.
As Guyana continues to grow, Doretti is urging all road users and authorities to remain committed to ensuring that development does not cost lives.
