2,608 die in road crashes from Jan-Feb …14,138 sustain injuries

A total of 2,608 people died and 14,138 others sustained injuries in 14,524 road crashes from January to November this year against 13,387 crashes recorded within the same period last year.

This represents 8.5 per cent increase in cases reported, statistics from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) has revealed.

According to the MTTD 25, 666 were involved in various accidents, comprising of 9,509 commercial vehicles, 10,629 private and 5,528 motorcycles and pedestrian knockdowns 2650.

The Accra Region recorded the highest numbers with 5,107 cases with the lowest in the North East with 50 cases.

The Director of Operations of the MTTD, Superintendent (Supt) Dr Samuel Sasu Mensah, disclosed this to the Ghanaian Times on Wednesday in Accra attributing the increase in the reported cases to indiscipline.

He mentioned fatigue driving, speeding, wrong overtaking, indiscipline and driving under the influence of alcohol as some of the causes of accidents.

Supt Dr Mensah said as part of efforts to ensure safety during this Christmas festivities, he stated that more personnel would be deployed to manage road traffic.

“More traffic enforcement teams such as the Motorcycle Response Teams and Accident Preventive Squad would be deployed on the roads with speed guns and alcohol breathlisers to ensure safety of road users,” he added.

Supt Dr Sasu stated the MTTD would collaborate with stakeholders in the road sector including the Ministry of Transportation, National Road Safety Authority and the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority.

He said most of accidents were avoidable if precautionary measures were adhered to.

He said road safety issues was a shared responsibility adding that “all must come on board to ensure the roads were safe for road users in the country.

The Director urged the public to collaborate with the police in ensuring the road users were safe at all times.

BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI