Drivers told to avoid acts that lead to road accidents

Obuasi, Oct. 30, GNA - Placard-bearing school children who participated in this year's road safety campaign at Obuasi on Wednesday urged drivers to avoid acts that will increase road accidents during the coming Christmas.

The school children used the placards to send messages to drivers to guard against overspeeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and careless overtaking. Drivers were again asked to stop to receive phone calls when driving.

The road safety campaign, which was attended by drivers, car owners, school children and the general public, was organized by the Obuasi branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) in collaboration with the municipal assembly. It was under the theme, "Defensive Driver".

Other placards appealed to drivers to protect pedestrians, including school children and to use their safety belts. Mr Kwabena A. Oduro, the Obuasi Divisional Police Commander, who was the guest speaker, announced that 33 people lost their lives in 128 road accidents which involved 173 vehicles in 2004 whilst from January to October this year, 10 people had died in 100 road accidents involving 138 vehicles within the municipal area.

He commended drivers in Obuasi for their efforts at minimizing road accidents on the major roads.

Mr Oduro wondered why some drivers refused to observe simple road safety regulations, saying road accidents were impacting negatively on the socio-economic development of the country and therefore urged drivers to be cautious on the road.

The Ashanti Regional Vice-Chairman of the GPRTU, Mr Aaron Boakye, praised drivers that ply between Obuasi and Kumasi for their accident-free record over the past years.

He condemned excessive speeding and urged drivers not to drive beyond the 80 kilometres per hour speed and advised school children to stop playing along and in the middle of main roads.

Mr B.K. Boafo, the Obuasi Municipal Chairman of the GPRTU, commended the Mr Joe Boampong, the Municipal Chief Executive and the assembly for rehabilitating the main Obuasi lorry park but appealed to the assembly for additional park since the existing one was congested. Mr M.K. Addai, the Municipal Co-ordinating Director who presided, called on both car owners and drivers to appreciate regular maintenance of their vehicles to help check some of the road accidents.