– 334 drunk driving cases recordedAs 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,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, compared with ‘A’ division with 100.Assistant Superintendent Calvin BrutusIn 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,Cheap Jerseys, 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,China NFL Jerseys, 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,Cheap Jerseys,” 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.*****************************************************Baracara Health Centre to be re-commissioned next monthBARACARA, 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,<a href="http