A governor, which is a special device that can limit or control the speed on a machine, may be compulsory for public transport vehicles like buses and trucks as part of efforts to reduce fatal accidents on Guyana’s roadways, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said.

Implementing this venture is part of the “bold measures” being considered to make the roadways safer, President Ali said in a year end interview with the News Room.

“I intend to have, in the New Year, national consultations with all stakeholders to promote some very tough measures

“One of the things that we are thinking about is the speed stopper in the vehicles themselves, so public transportation must not exceed a certain speed…(you) put it in the engine and the vehicle would not exceed a certain speed,” the President said.

A similar system could be used for trucks. And the President said the government may have to purchase the governors and make it mandatory for trucks and public transport.

If they aren’t used or tampered with, he said there could be “hefty” fines.

Why are such steps being taken?

There were numerous road accidents last year across Guyana. By October, when the last set of statistics were released, there were 171 road deaths.

In an interview with the News Room, Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh said speeding and drunk driving are a big cause for concern.

In August, after eight persons aged 21 years and younger died in road accidents in one weekend, the President said he was “deeply troubled” by what was happening. He promised then that he would pursue national ventures to curb the issue.

During the year end interview, he said tackling speeding on the roadways will be a major focus in 2023.

“I see it as a very important issue, we can’t have mothers, parents (and) children losing loved ones like this. It does not make sense when we need all our human potential for the development of our country,” the President lamented.