By
Emmanuel Todd, GNA
Accra, Nov. 17, GNA
– Parents and drivers have been advised to ensure the safety of children on
board their vehicles by keeping them in seat belts.
The Reverend Ismaila
Hansmittson Awudu, the Head Pastor, International Central Gospel Church, East Legon,
said children, due to their curious nature, would often stand in vehicles to
have a good view of the environs and in the event of a sudden break, the child
could be thrown out.
He said it was
better to be cautious to help save the many lives, which were lost to road
accidents each year.
Rev. Awudu, also the
Board Chairman of National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), said this when members
of the Authority joined in Worship at the Yaweh Temple to mark this year’s
“Road Accident Victims Day,” which is observed worldwide on every third Sunday
of November.
The Day is to
remember persons who were injured or died through road accidents and pray for
their families.
It is also to
sensitise the public on healthy traffic practices.
Rev. Awudu said drivers
should be more serious with road regulations during the Christmas season to
prevent accidents, adding; “Don’t drink and drive and don’t speed. It is better
to arrive at your destination late and alive.”
Mrs May
Obiri-Yeboah, the Executive Director, NRSA, said about 2,000 lives were lost to
road accidents each year and 1,900 had already been recorded this year.
She said two major
factors contributed to road accidents; disruption and speeding; adding that
drivers could be disrupted by an array of activities while on the road.
She said the use of
mobile phones, playing of loud music and eating while driving were activities
that made the driver to lose focus.
“Drivers are
mandated to drive at 15 to 30 Kilometers per hour within towns and cities and
80 to 100 Kilometers per hour on highways and motorways,” she said.
Mrs Obiri-Yeboah
advised the congregation to obey road safety and traffic regulations and pay
attention to other road users, especially pedestrians when driving.
She expressed the
hope that the campaign would help sensitise that public to reduce accidents and
save lives.
Pictures of accident
scenes were displayed at the entrance of the Church to bring home the dangers
and reality of road crashes.
GNA
