Kofi Sekyiama Pobi.
Statistics from the Road Safety Authority indicate that the Central Region is the 4th leading region in rampant road crushes in Ghana. Although there have been campaigns and education on road safety, the region continues to record increased numbers of such crushes.
According to the Road Safety Authority, head-on collisions account for about 80% of all the road accidents that occur on the Accra, Cape Coast-Takoradi road. This situation informed the Central Regional Coordinating Council to find a lasting solution to curtail this social menace on our roads.
The Regional Minister, Justina Marigold Assan, said “it is regrettable to know that the region is fast gaining notoriety for road carnages in Ghana’’.
“The earlier this is resolved, the better, so as to avoid claiming innocent lives, which is also a drain on the government’s purse,’’ she posited.
Madam Assan called for pragmatic efforts from all stakeholders to help minimize the rampant carnages.
“Highway engineers and roads expect to come up with workable modules such as redesigning the roads, that would avert collisions,’’ she suggested.
The Central Regional Manager of the Road Safety Authority, Linda Affotey said the Kasoa, Ekumfi and Potsin enclaves are the most accident-prone areas in the region. She also called for collaboration between the police Motor Traffic and Transport Department, MMTTD, and the media to help in the education and enforcement of the road traffic regulations.
‘’Another cause of road carnage is driving while fatigued. Besides, the Accra Cape Coast Road has no foot bridges, hence the pedestrian knockdowns’’, she noted.
The Central Regional MTTD Commander, Superintendent Steven Awuah, said the police is poised to check and punish recalcitrant drivers, who often flout traffic regulations.
“Drivers who are on the road under the influence of alcohol and other substances must desist from it because it is punishable under the law,’’ he disclosed.
Superintendent Awuah disclosed that the Police Service would focus on education and sensitization of the citizenry on good practices on the road.
