Mfantseman Municipality records 39 accidents with 17 deaths

Mankessim (C/R), Oct. 30, GNA - The Motor, Traffic and Transport Unit of the Ghana Police Service, recorded 39 accidents with 17 deaths in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region, from January to September. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Oscar Narh Odonkor, who made this known at Mankessim said 66 six vehicles were involved in the accidents.

He was speaking at the launch of the Road Safety Campaign organised by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) in the municipality, aimed at minimising road accidents throughout the last quarter of the year, particularly during Christmas and the New Year festivities. DSP Odonkor debunked the belief by a section of the public that accidents are caused through spiritual means, explaining that they are the consequence of careless driving. He appealed to the government and other stakeholders in road traffic, to collaborate to check the situation.

DSP Odonkor suggested the need for the creation of highway points fitted with electronic gadgets, to determine the speed of a moving vehicle and the enforcement of spot fines for drivers caught over speeding. Mr Thomas Nintori, Regional Manager of DVLA, asked drivers and other road users to be conversant with road signs. He said the road signs should be displayed at every lorry park to serve as a guide to the public. Mr Nintori said DVLA had stopped issuing licence to people who could not read and write.

He cautioned that it was an offence for a driver who was under 25 years old to drive commercial vehicle, adding that those above 18 years are limited to operate only private vehicles. Mr Samuel Oiver Adabo, Municipal Fire Officer cautioned drivers against the practice of keeping petrol in gallons in the bonnet of their vehicles.

Ms Catherine Hamilton, Regional Manager, NRSC said it was mandatory for drivers to keep log books in their vehicles to check over speeding and warned that those who failed to carry it would be arrested and prosecuted. She announced toll-free lines, which would enable passengers to report the misconduct of drivers to the law enforcing agents. They are: Kasapa 10800, Vodafone 0800-10800 and MTN 18008. Ms Vivian Etroo, Municipal Director of Education urged drivers to respect Zebra crossing and cautioned against over loading of vehicles which convey school children.

She appealed to parents to get older people to accompany children under six years of age to and from school. Mr Vincent Biney Amissah, Municipal Co-ordinator of the Ghana Red Cross Society suggested that drivers must be trained in administering First Aid to accident victims. He expressed concern about the abuse of First Aids boxes in vehicles and advised drivers to keep them for the intended purposes. Nana Impraim VII, Acting President of Ekumfi Traditional Area asked drivers not to be over confident on the road and compromise on safety. 30 Oct. 09