Most road accidents are caused by over speeding

Kumasi, June 10, GNA- Over speeding has been the main cause of accidents, contributing to about 80 per cent of all road accidents in the Ashanti Region.

Other causes of road accidents however are over loading, use of mobile phones whilst driving, mechanical faults, and drunk driving. Mr Kwaku Oware-Boateng, Ashanti Regional Coordinator for Road Safety Commission, gave the figures at a forum on road safety, organized by the National Road Safety Codes Commission (NRSC), for political parties on Tuesday in Kumasi.

The purpose of the forum was in view of the fact that over the years, election periods had recorded lots of road accidents, thus, there was the need to educate political parties on the need to put in measures to avoid accidents.

He said the Ashanti Region recorded 1,222 road accidents in 1999 as compared to 1818 in the year 2000, whilst 332 lives were lost in 2004. He urged drivers of political party's to desist from over-loading their vehicles with party members and make provision for rest periods during long journeys.

Mr Oware-Boateng also advocated for the use of seatbelts and also ensuring that road worthy vehicles with valid insurance cover is used. Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Union (MTTU), Commander, recalled that, a year ago, 34 Catholic Choristers lost their lives on the Kumasi-Sunyani road as a result of over speeding and overloading. He stressed that such accidents bring hardship to the victim's dependants. and urged drivers "to be each others' keeper and not to compromise their lives" during the course campaigning.