The Accra-Aflao lorry station, which serves as the terminus for commuters between Accra and Aflao and Ghana’s eastern neighbours, is surrounded by over 30 drinking bars. This undoubtedly provides avenues for most of the drivers plying the route to top their alcohol level just as the top their engine oil and brake fluid, “Chronicle” investigations have revealed.
“Chronicle” can confidently say that most of the accidents recorded on the Accra-Aflao road can be attributed to drunken-driving as the perception and vision of the drivers are blurred as a result of too much alcohol in their system.
The welfare officer for the Ghana Private Roads Transport Union at the Kotoka Station in Accra, Alhaji Ali Kudzen, blamed the situation on the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) for issuing permits to people to sell alcoholic drinks at the station. He said his outfit had put in place a mechanism to check drinking drivers, and those caught in the state of drunkenness would be sanctioned.
So far, three such drivers are on suspension and would be banned from driving, if caught for a second time, he said adding, “Passengers pay to reach their destination but no to and die on the road. He advised drivers to stop over loading their vehicles and observe their axle weight, and drive within normal speed limits and observe road signs.
The Public Relations Officer for AMA, Charles Parker-Allotey, told Chronicle his outfit gave permits to people to operate chop bars and open stores but not to turn to whole station into a drinking arena. He assured that investigations would be conducted to ascertain that validity of the accusation and, if possible, revoke the permits of those who have abused them.
The traffic officer of the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU), DSP Ntim, said there is “traffic illiteracy” in the system which needs to be tackled, once and for all, from the grass root level. He said out of a total of 57 drivers arrested this year for various traffic offences, 30 were high and reputable position holders in society.
Superintendent Ntim regretted the refusal of drivers to patronise their educational programmes and seminars, though they are organised to sharpen their skills free of charge. The welfare officer said his outfit would intensify its patrols on the highways to arrest all offending drivers to ensure the safety of travellers at all times and suggested the study of road signs in syllabuses of schools.
According to the MTTU of the Ghana Police Service, last year, Accra alone recorded 7,597 accidents involving 11, 554 vehicles with 193 fatalities, followed by the Ashanti region with 1,934 accidents involving 2,866 vehicles leading to 168 deaths.
