The Catholic weekly in Guyana is calling on the relevant authorities to work on actively enforcing both long-established and new traffic laws during Road Safety Month.

In an editorial titled “Traffic Madness”, the Catholic Standard spoke of the increase in vehicular traffic because of the increased number of vehicles on the road, the inexperience of drivers – “a threat to safety” - and driving under the influence of alcohol.

The paper recognised the efforts of Guyana’s Traffic Department “to curb road lawlessness”, but said these efforts were unfortunately not “bearing much fruit” because of the Department’s inability “to maintain any momentum when it comes to enforcing laws, especially new ones…the law with regard to tinted windows is an example.” Music in privately-owned transport buses that was loud, vulgar and relentless” was also mentioned as one of the campaigns that “seems to be all but abandoned.”

The Standard commended authorities for introducing the breathalyser and the use of the speed gun, but wondered if tests were being considered “for people driving under the influence of other mind drugs such as cocaine, crack, marijuana and others”.

The editorial concluded with a call for authorities to model first-world countries by implementing tougher sanctions. “Many democratic countries have draconian traffic laws which have resulted in admirable road cultures. Let us join this group of civilised countries and save our children, ourselves and the future of our country.”