Accidents increased by 35 per cent in 2009 in W/r

Takoradi, Feb. 17, GNA - The Western Regional Office of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), has recorded 1,039 accident cases last year as against 637 cases in 2008, representing an increase of 35 per cent. Mr. Thomas Bismark Boakye, Regional Coordinator of the Commission, who said this in an interview with GNA at Takoradi on Wednesday, indicated that 1,261 vehicles were involved in the accidents in 2009 as against 904 vehicles in 2008.

He said 156 fatal cases were recorded in 2009 as against 109 cases in 2008 while in 2009 315 serious cases were recorded and 205 cases were recorded in 2008.

He said 506 minor cases were recorded last year as against 354 cases in 2008 and in 2009, 177 persons died in accidents and 155 died in 2008. Mr. Boakye said 1,015 people sustained injuries in accidents in 2009 as against 777 people the previous year.

He attributed the increase in accident cases last year to over speeding, drink-driving and overtaking, among other factors. According to Mr Boakye, the number of vehicles plying roads had increased due to the oil find and exploitation of bauxite and manganese as well as other commercial activities in the region. He asked pedestrians to use the road wisely to avoid being knocked-down by vehicles.