Road users urged to observe safety standards on School Junction-Motorway stretch
Road users along the newly constructed School Junction to the Motorway Road, have been advised to observe the highest safety standards when using that section of the highway.
The Deputy Director of Planning and Development of the Department of Urban Roads, Mr Frank Osei-Sekyereh, said that was the only way to ensure the lifespan of the road as well as ensure the safety of road users.
He made the call at a stakeholder consultation with stakeholders living along the 5.8 Kilometre four-lane dual carriageway, inaugurated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, a fortnight ago.
The event organised by the Department of Urban Roads in collaboration with the Adentan Municipal Assembly, sought to sensitise commuters on safety measures needed when using the facility towards achieving the purpose of its construction.
This follows reports that some drivers have started repairing their broken down vehicles on the newly asphaltic road.
The participants included members of driver unions, associations of residents, and operators of businesses along that stretch of the road.
All safety standards, including, traffic lights, broken lines, road markings, pedestrian walk ways, bicycle lanes are in place on the newly constructed road.
According to Mr Osei-Sekyereh, the road, constructed at a great cost should not be allowed to be a death trap.
He, therefore, cautioned drivers against repairing vehicles on the road, especially the changing of tyres, because the road was not concreted, but asphalted and could develop pot holes, which could damage the road.
“Any driver caught parking on a pedestrian walk way or the lay byes would be arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others,” Mr Osei-Sekyereh cautioned.
He urged the Adentan Municipal Assembly to prevent hawkers and mobile phone operators from turning the walk ways into trading grounds, and also stop insanitary conditions along the stretch.
Mr Osei-Sekyereh said “The road should be used for its intended purpose to prevent unnecessary loss of lives.”
The Director, Research, Education and Training of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Superintendent Alexander Kweku Obeng, speaking at the event, said a new motor traffic legislative instrument aimed at sanitising road usage was before Parliament, and if passed into law no policeman would physically chase traffic offenders.
He explained that traffic offenders would be captured by camera technologically, and issued charged tickets which must be paid within 14 days and when offenders fail to pay, they could face serious sanctions, including total ban from driving.
Chief Sup. Obeng said “the road has been constructed, it now behooves every citizen to take responsibility of that national asset by respecting all road signs in order not to create problems for anyone.
Mr John Arthur of ADK Consortium, consultants to the project, called for more collaboration between assemblies and traditional authorities in spacial land usage.
The move, he explained would avoid the payment of huge compensations anytime important projects were executed.
BY LAWRENCE VOMAFA-AKPALU
