Guyana
Commonwealth Point of Light 17. Denise Dias
Denise Dias, representing Guyana, founded ‘The Alicea Foundation’ in 1997 to advocate for improved road safety legislation following the death of her 17-year-old daughter Alicea in a road accident caused by a drunk driver.
For four years supporters of the Foundation participated in a weekly one-hour vigil outside Parliament until better road safety legislation was passed. As a result of her campaign, Guyana’s ‘Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act’ was amended in 2002 to enforce the use of seat belts, breathalysers and radar speed guns. Since this success, Denise has coordinated a series of campaigns including training drivers in the public and private sectors and leading road safety awareness talks in schools.
Denise said:
“I am so shocked and so honoured. Even though I haven’t got Alicea in my life now she continues to save so many lives across Guyana.”
Greg Quinn, UK High Commissioner in Guyana, said:
“Denise has been a tireless campaigner on road safety. I have been humbled by her work, especially given the tragic circumstances surrounding it. She is, without question, a very deserving recipient of a Points of Light Award and it is an honour for me to have the opportunity to congratulate her on this occasion.”
Commonwealth #PointsofLight winner Denise Dias from Guyana founded ‘The Alicea Foundation’ to help improve #roadsafety legislation, following the death of her daughter to drunk-driving aged 17 🇬🇾
Full story: https://t.co/3D2UzE26Rt#ourCommonwealth @THINKgovuk @UKinCaribbean pic.twitter.com/xTLYADcDr9
— CHOGM London 2018 (@Commonwealth18) February 23, 2018