Mr Alexander Attibo Ayatah, Volta Regional Manager of the
National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), who made the assertion, also
alleged that some officials also endeavour to influence the Police to
release drivers arrested for road traffic offences.
Mr Ayatah, who was addressing the Volta Regional branch of NRSC
meeting in Ho on Wednesday, called on Ghanaians to support road safety
measures to avoid accidents.
Issues discussed included erection of indiscriminate speed bumps
on the roads, operation of motorbikes as commercial passenger carriers
and pot holes on the roads.
He said some of the lorry accidents occurred as a result of
drunk-driving, over-speeding, reckless driving, fatigue and use of
mobile phones while driving.
Mr Ayatah said 539 people died and 1,498 were injured in
accidents involving 2,634 vehicles in the Region from 2007 to 2010.
He said in the first quarter of 2011, 27 people died in road
accidents in the Region.
Mr Ayatah said it was irresponsible and defeatist for some people
to perceive the notion that accident victims have been destined to die
through accident.
Mr Samuel Owusu-Berko, Ho Municipal Police Commander, wondered
why public figures complained about indiscipline on the roads but
sought the release of road traffic offenders.
He cited that a Ghanaian Police officer on UN duty was arrested
in Australia for over-speeding and fined by the court and asked if
that could happen in Ghana.
Mr Owusu-Berko expressed worry that drivers of commercial and
private vehicles flouted road traffic regulations.
Mr Frederick Senanu Lumor, Volta Regional Commander of the Motor
Transport and Traffic Unit of the Ghana Police Service, expressed
dissatisfaction that some of the motor riders had no licenses.
Mr Felix Kattah, Manager of the Ambulance Service in Ho,
complained that bumps disturb the posturing of patients being rushed
to hospitals in ambulances.
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