The Director of Planning and Programmes at the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), Mr David Osafo Adoteng, has disclosed that a total of 636 people lost their lives through road accidents from January to May this year.
He said majority of the accidents were caused by the motorcycles and tricycles riders due to lack of proper education on its usage on the roads.
Mr Adoteng disclosed this in Tamale during a Northern Regional stakeholder consultation workshop on safe use of motorcycles and tricycles in the country, organised by the Ministry of Transport and funded by UKAID.
The event was to propose amendments to the road traffic regulations 2012, L.l. 2180 and the use of the motorcycle and tricycle and its regulatory framework.
The regulation 128 of L.I.2180 means that road traffic regulations, 2012 prohibits the use of motorcycles and three-wheelers for commercial purposes, except for courier and delivery services.
According to him, research indicated that the education of operators was very low and that about 60 per cent of operators had education not above primary school level.
Mr Adoteng mentioned that most of these motorcycles and tricycles were not registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, while some also do not have roadworthy stickers on them but and operating commercially as well and this need to be addressed.
He said most of these operators had not also been trained on how to recognised and use road signs, which was causing a lot of accidents.
He said less than 30 per cent of motor users wear crash helmets when riding.
Mr John Bernam Jabaah, the Deputy Northern Regional Minister advised the motor riders to reduce over speeding and use their helmets when using the road to save lives.
He urged the authorities in the transport sector to enforce the law on the motor riders and to make sure they have license and insurance before plying the roads.
The stakeholders advised government to find ways of streamlining the services of the tricycles in the country to enhance transportation system especially in the rural areas where transportation is a challenge.
They suggested the provision of affordable bus system in all sectors including rural areas if the government had any intention of banning the tricycles as commercial entities.
