NDC motorbike riders in Tamale agree not to ride without helmets

The Motorbike Riders Association of the National Democratic Congress (MRA-NDC) in the Tamale Metropolis has told the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) that members would not to ride motorbikes without the use of crash helmets during the electioneering season.

The members said the decision was to complement the efforts of the Commission to reduce death and injuries often recorded during election periods.

The resolution was agreed on when officials of the NRSC paid a working visit to the group on Monday in Tamale to discuss ways of making the 2012 election peaceful and accident free.

The officials told the members that it was important to ensure safety during campaign period to stay alive and vote for their preferred candidates.

Mr. Bashiru Amadu, Chairman of the Association, said most of the members were responsible persons and bread winners who would not indulge in reckless ridding.

He appealed to the NDC to support the group with crash helmets and other protective clothing.

Mr. Alexander Ayatah, Northern Regional Manager of NRSC, said election years were noted for the increase in road accidents and appealed to political parties to be committed to the road safety code in order to reduce road accidents before, during and even after the election.

He said road accidents increased during election years. In 1996, 57 people died, 60 people perished in 2000, 131 people lost their lives in 2004 and 100 people died in 2008.