Latest update April 23rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 23, 2010 News
– 334 drunk driving cases recorded
As the call gets louder for something to be done about the raving consumption of alcohol in Berbice, the police are at their wits end in trying to cope with the spin-off of its overuse.
Alcohol consumption, which leads to drunken driving, is one area that has reached chronic proportions in the Ancient County and is a major worry for the Berbice (B division) Police Traffic Department, since it is the major cause of road accidents throughout the country.
The Division has so far recorded more than three times the number of drunk driving cases than any other Police Division in the country.
The figure in Berbice is at a frightening 334, compared with ‘A’ division with 100.
In fact, if the figures for the other Divisions are added up, it will not reach the total for B Division.
These were some of the startling revelations told to Kaieteur News by B Division Traffic Chief, Assistant Superintendent, Calvin Brutus. Brutus in giving an overall view of the traffic situation in the Ancient County, said that quite a number of accidents are caused by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol. Speeding and animals on the road he said are other major concerns for his department.
The Traffic Officer said, “Drinking and driving is a major worry for the police in Berbice, especially in eastern Berbice with the Corentyne division being a standout for the malpractice. Motorists are not heeding our advice not to drink and drive and are doing so with impunity. We usually have our work cut out, especially when there are major events in Berbice like shows, horse racing, cricket and activities on the Beach.”
The situation has become chronic and the police are trying their best to cope with the state of affairs, but they are terribly under staff.
“Right now we are working with about 30 percent of our required capacity, and as you know, the number of vehicles on the roads has increased about 1000 times to what it was in the 60s and 70s and now we have far less ranks than we had then,” Assistant Superintendent Brutus told this newspaper.
Giving some figures for the year so far, the Officer said that to date, there were 10 fatal accidents, compared to the corresponding period last year, which saw 15 fatal accidents and 16 deaths.
In terms of serious accidents, there is an increase this year with the figures reading 47 in comparison to 41 for the corresponding period in 2009. The other two categories of accidents, namely- Minor and Damage accidents, have also seen the figures increasing from last year. The Officer said that in terms of fatal accidents, July month has been the worst so far, with four fatalities.
According to Brutus, there needs to be more co-operation from other departments and agencies if the problem is to be solved. Many times when drivers are involved in accidents they would flee the scene and return, or give up, later.
“Some will go to the hospital and be admitted so that we cannot test them for Alcohol. The Hospital and doctors need to co-operate and do blood tests, but many times the doctors do not administer the tests even if we request, stating that they do not have the necessary equipment. So far, four licenses have been suspended and one person’s blood was successfully tested positive for alcohol and he has been prosecuted,” Brutus stated.
Speeding is another major cause of concern, said Brutus, with motorists continuing to ignore the speed limits.
“The Berbice areas have vast stretches of straight and lonely roads, so the motorists will take advantage of our shortage of human resources to overdo the thing.”
Brutus said that the Berbice Traffic Department has adequate equipment, including motorcycles and vehicles, radar guns and breathalyzers to do the job but with the shortage of manpower, it is a difficult task to catch all the perpetrators. He believes the speed limit in most cases is adequate, but persons are just indiscipline.
“Leave early, drive slowly and arrived safely,” he advises. Animals also worry Traffic Department in the Ancient County.
In fact, several accidents, including fatalities, are caused by animals roaming the streets. Three of the fatalities so far were as a result of animals, including the only double fatality, involving two cars on the East Canje Public Road.
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Baracara Health Centre to be re-commissioned next month
BARACARA, CANJE RIVER – The Baracara Health Centre is to be re-commissioned next month. Chairman of Region Six, Zulfikar Mustapha indicated that his administration, under the Capital Health Budget for 2010, expended some $5 million on upgrading the facility.
As a result, residents would soon be able to access better health care. According to him, the contract was awarded to the C. Dundas Construction Company and work began in July. It was completed within a month.
He said last Wednesday the Region Six Engineer Paul Lyken visited the site and was generally satisfied with the job done but recommended additional furniture, more medical supplies and instruments.
According to the Regional Chairman, this is now engaging the attention of the Regional Tender Board and should be awarded tomorrow Tuesday.
He explained that in this year’s Regional Health Budget some $6 million was allocated for the purchase of medical equipment and furniture. Approximately $1.5 million would be used to provide what is needed at the Baracara Health Centre.
The facility is manned by a Community Health Worker from that area. In the case of emergencies residents must travel along the Canje River to New Amsterdam to seek help at the New Amsterdam Hospital.
A Medex was recently identified and would take up residence after the commissioning. The communities to derive benefits from this facility include Baracara itself, Ikuruwa and others scattered along the Canje River taking the population close to 300.
Among the main issues facing residents of Baracara right now is flooding. Thirty families between Baracara and Ikuruwa were affected and lost undisclosed amounts of money in cash crops and ground provision.
The livestock were not affected since they were placed on higher grounds. He said that the Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud recently presented farming equipment to residents in these communities including spray cans, cutlasses, pesticides, herbicides and seeds.
A team comprising members of the Region Six Administration along with those from the Community Development Council visited the community a fortnight ago and an assessment was made.
Those directly affected by the high tides are to receive additional agricultural aid and Extension Officers from the Department of Agriculture are to visit these areas. He said Baracara, like Orealla/Siparuta and other riverain localities are to receive more Government intervention in terms of health, education, housing and agriculture.
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