Road safety groups move to reduce accidents

Road safety institutions have called on stakeholders and members of the public to help reduce road accidents in the country.

The groups said road safety was a shared responsibility, and urged Ghanaians to assist in preventing road crashes.

Officials of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) made the call when they met transport operators in Bolgatanga, on Wednesday.

The officials educated transport operators, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), and O.A Travel and Tours on road safety measures, on the need to collaborate efforts to minimise road crashes, especially during festivities.

The National Director in charge of Education, Research and Training at the MTTD Superintendent (Sup) Alexander Kweku Obeng, expressed worry that the country continued to record road accidents, particularly during Christmas.

He said from January to November, last year, MTTD  recorded more than 12,000 road crashes with about 20,000 vehicles involved.

Sup Obeng said at least 2,083 people lost their lives while at least 12,000 others sustained injuries.

He indicated that from December 24 to 26, 2018, the country recorded 98 road crashes with at least 33 deaths.

Sup Obeng  said the NRSA would continue to work with the Ghana Police Service and other stakeholders, to prevent road accidents.

The Deputy Director, Planning and Programmes at NRSA, Mr Daniel Wuaku, said indiscipline on the roads could stop only if the law enforcement agencies, transport operators, drivers and passengers played their roles effectively.

He cautioned drivers to avoid driving while on alcohol, and urged passengers to report  such conduct to the appropriate authorities.

The Upper East Regional Director, NRSA, Mr Dennis Yeribu, commended stakeholders for ensuring that the region recorded zero fatalities during last year’s Christmas.

FROM SAMUEL AKAPULE, BOLGATANGA