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Friday, March 29, 2024

Road accident death increases to 1,915 in 2019 – Minister

By
Kodjo Adams, GNA

Accra, Nov. 20, GNA
– The country recorded 11,342 road crashes for the nine months to October,
resulting in 1,915 deaths.

This compared to
1,921 deaths recorded for 2018.

Mr Daniel Nii
Kwartei Titus Glover, the Deputy Minister of Transport, who announced this,
said out of the total number of 11,342 crashes, 2,418 were pedestrians knock
downs and 11,520 involved injuries.

In 2018, the total
crashes were 11,159 with 11,130 injuries and 2,606 pedestrian knock downs.

The deaths were due
to indiscipline and disrespect for road regulations in relation to driving
above speed limits, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, wrong
overtaking and refusal to use seatbelts.

The Deputy Minister
said this on Tuesday at the launch of the 2019 Road Safety Christmas Campaign
at the Kaneshie Transport Terminal in Accra on the theme: “Stop Road Accident
Now before It Stops You”.

The campaign is
aimed at reminding Ghanaians especially motorist and pedestrians to be road
safety conscious before and after the Christmas festivities.

As part of the
campaign, there will be vigorous outreach programmes from December 5 to January
7, 2020 with personnel from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) on major
roads, transport terminals, schools and public places for education on safe
road use.

Mr Glover said the
deaths could have been prevented if road users had exercise self-discipline and
demonstrated responsibility for safe road use practices and compliance with
existing road traffic regulations.

He said government
was not enthused about the situation and was committed to introducing reforms
in the areas of legislations, institutional and logistical capacity to help
curb the menace.

“As part of the
reforms, the National Road Safety Commission has been transformed into a
regulatory body to enhance its mandate to enforce institutional standards for
road safety related activities and issue appropriate sanctions  for non-compliance”,, he added.

He said the Ministry
was collaborating with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana
Police Service to scale-up enforcement activities on the provisions of the Road
Traffic Regulations in relations to travel speeds, drink driving, jay-walking
and use of foot bridges.

The Deputy Minister
urged drivers to exercise restraint and to adhere to road traffic regulations,
while pedestrians must be alert when walking along or crossing the road and
speak up against drivers who misbehave when driving.

Mrs May Obiri
Yeboah, the Director General, NRSA said the campaign was to heighten
sensitization for safer use of the road by all categories of road users before,
during and after the Christmas and New Year festivities.

She urged the public
to support the campaign because road safety is a shared responsibility and
there is the need to exhibit good behavioral change towards the safety on the
roads.

GNA

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