2,114 road crashes recorded in Accra Metropolis in 2010

Accra, Jan. 11, GNA - Available statistics on road traffic crashes and casualties in the Accra Metropolis, indicated that 2,114 crashes were recorded involving 1,349 vehicles in 2010.

More than 141 persons were killed in the Metropolis and 1,983 got injured, out of which pedestrians constituted 65.96 per cent of the road traffic death. This was contained in a statement issued by the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), to commend Dr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, for the series of initiatives undertaken by the Accra Metroplitan Assembly to address crucial road and traffic related problems in Accra. The Commission observed the re –organisation of Kwame Nkrumah Circle with the clearing of hawkers from pedestrian walkways and re-fencing to direct pedestrian movement in an orderly manner.

Others are the introduction of barbed wires on top of the concrete median, which has prevented people from jumping over to cross the road, clamping of vehicles at no parking areas and clearing of hawkers from the walkways in Accra Central as well as banning movement of truck pushers on major roads in the Metropolis.

The Commission said Dr Vanderpuije was seen on many occasions personally directing traffic and ordering drivers to ease congestion traffic.

He was also seen taking photographs of rickety vehicles being used for transporting passengers in Accra and drew the attention of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority to the situation for redress.

The statement noted that Dr Vanderpuije had allocated a seat in the Regional Coordinating and Security Council for the NRSC to participate in discussions on development in the Metropolis particularly road transport and traffic safety issues.

"These actions by the Accra Mayor are by far a clear demonstration of his personal commitment to particularly pedestrian safety and road safety in general within the Accra Metropolis. It is our view that, they will contribute by no small measure to the reduction of road traffic fatalities as envisaged by the National Road Safety Strategy NRSS III ."

The Commission announced that in the next decade (2011-2020), it would work within the framework of the NRSS III towards mainstreaming road safety into the local governance system in Ghana, to influence the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to embrace road safety for local and community development programmes.