NRSC takes steps to radically reduce road fatalities

The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) has indicated its determination to take steps to radically reduce the high rate of road fatalities.

Mr. Samuel Obeng Asiamah, the Ashanti Regional Manager, said the goal was to bring the nationwide annual death toll to below 1,000.

The Commission had been working with a national strategic plan of which he expressed optimism that the target could be achieved.

He was addressing a media briefing in Kumasi to highlight the progress the Commission was making in its efforts at ensuring that the roads in the Region were safe for everybody.

Mr. Asiamah said there was significant decline in deaths through road crashes, last year, compared with the previous year’s figures.

In all, 163 people were killed in 1,064 crashes as against the year 2014 total of 250 deaths in 1,232 crashes.

The number of people, who suffered broken bones and cuts also stood at 524, representing a 56 per cent decrease. A total of 1,423 injuries were recorded during the previous year.

He pointed out that the impressive achievements would not make anybody complacent and that the Commission would continue to work with the relevant state institutions and other stakeholders to sustain the downward trend.

Mr. Asiamah said the Commission would step up road safety education for motorists and pedestrians, encourage the use of seatbelts and crash helmets alongside the enforcement of road traffic regulations.

He also spoke of the decision by the NRSC to re-introduce crossing aids (lollipop stands) for school children in selected areas in the Kumasi metropolis and re-paint pedestrian crossings near basic schools.