18 perished, 140 injured in road crashes during Easter — MTTD

A total of 18 people perished and 140 suffered injuries in 106 road accidents during the Easter festivities as against 22 deaths in 124 accidents the previous year.

The crashes, which were recorded from April 19 to 22, involved 60 commercial vehicles, 69 private vehicles and 46 motorcycles.

The accidents, representing 18 per cent reduction, were attributed to speeding, wrongful overtaking and fatigue driving.

The Staff Officer of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent of Police (Supt) Dr Samuel Sasu-Mensah, disclosed these to the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday.

He said the accidents were recorded in Greater Accra, Eastern, Northern, Central, Ashanti, Volta, Upper East and Bono East regions.

The Staff Officer said Accra recorded the highest of 36 cases whilst the Northern Region recorded the lowest with two cases.

Supt Sasu Mensah stated that as part of efforts to address the menace on the road, the MTTD would continue to collaborate with stakeholders in the transport sector to educate the public on the don’ts and dos.

“We would also enforce the law to serve as deterrent to other drivers,” he added.

Touching on road blocks on the streets for social functions such as funerals and weddings, Supt Sasu-Mensah said it was an offence for people to block road for such events.

The Staff Officer said the MTTD would dialogue with the district assemblies in the issuance of permits to the public regarding the blocking of roads.

Supt Sasu-Mensah urged drivers to abide by the road safety regulations, stating that pedestrians should also use designated routes when crossing the roads to prevent knockdowns.

“Always ensure that you abide by the regulation such as driving under the influence of alcohol, pre-checks on vehicle before travelling on their journeys, speeding and wrongful overtaking,” he stressed.

He called on the media to partner the police in ensuring lives and properties were saved at all times.

BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI