City Chamber urges adherence to traffic laws

Amid continuing horrific accidents, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) yesterday urged all road users to “stringently uphold traffic laws and regulations, and exercise good judgement when using the roadways by observing the five C’s - care, caution, consideration, common sense and courtesy.

Decrying what it said was the current road safety crisis, the GCCI in a statement said that this is a major social, economic, development and health concern and the increase in road traffic accidents is alarming.

“The Chamber believes that improved road safety and the reduction of road accidents is a shared responsibility which requires concerted action by road users, government, the private sector, academia and civil society. The Chamber is also cognizant that poor enforcement of traffic laws, speeding and reckless driving, and the lack of proper training and education are some of the main factors which contribute to road carnage in Guyana”, the statement added.

The Chamber noted that road accidents have great financial impact on the economy and significantly affects the social lives of those affected.

“In this regard, the GCCI notes that road accidents can be reduced through a number of preventative measures including strict enforcement of traffic laws, mandatory education and training of public transport drivers, road safety training and courses for new drivers and refresher courses for older drivers, increased sensitization campaigns about safe driving principles through the media, regular inspection of public transport, and awareness raising programmes and materials for pedestrians”, the business body said.