Gov't spent over $170m on road accidents

The government spent 170 million dollars on road accidents last year, Mr Noble Appiah, Executive Director of the National Road Safety Commission, has said.

Speaking at a meeting with transport unions, road safety committee, Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit officers and Ghana National Fire Officers, Mr Appiah said the Commission was working hard to reduce road accidents

He said the Commission has started with training programmes on pilot basis and stressed the need for all stakeholders to get involved when it comes to their turn.

Mr. Appiah appealed to road safety committees and transport unions to visit churches, mosques, market places, schools and lorry parks to educate the people to help in the fight against road accidents.

Mr Raynold E. Kwakye, the acting Ashanti Regional Police Commander, urged the Police Service to strictly enforce road safety regulations and laws in the country.

He also called on the courts to mete out severe sentences to offending drivers who flout traffic regulations to serve as a deterrent to others and suggested the establishment of a state-owned driving school.

Mr Kwakye said the Ashanti Region recorded 367 motor accidents in the first two months of this year. Some 558 vehicles were involved in those accidents, 69 persons lost their lives and 333 persons were injured.