Police to help reduce road accidents during political activities

The Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Police Service will persuade and educate political party supporters to comply with traffic regulations during political events.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Fred Lumor, in charge of the Volta Region MTTU, who gave the assurance said that the police would play their part to reduce road accidents during political activities.

ASP Lumor however asked political party leaders to educate their followers on the dangers of reckless driving, overloading and indiscipline associated with mass outdoor political activities.

He was speaking at the first of a series of meetings of the Volta Regional Executives of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) and representatives of political parties, on road safety during political activities in Ho on Thursday.

ASP Lumor said over-zealous supporters playing pranks on motor bikes and vehicles and large numbers of pedestrians created road traffic challenges during political events.

Mr. Sebastian Akyeampong, Volta Regional NRSC Director, said the 2012 Elections and Christmas celebrations would pose a big challenge to road safety.

He said political parties would be expected to sign documents, enjoining them to promote good road user practices.

The Regional NRSF Secretariat gave each party; the National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party, Convention People’s Party and the People’s Progressive Party, 400 copies of the “Road Safety Code for Political Parties,” and other road safety fliers for distribution to their members.

The leaflet has a check list for vehicles, composure of drivers in convoys, and precautions for night travels among others.

It recommended that party supporters “travelling in large numbers must be bussed,” and advised against travelling by open pick-up vehicles and trucks and riding motorbikes without helmets.

Mr. Akyeampong asked political parties to appoint their members to implement the code, to eliminate or reduce fatalities among political activists, who would crisscross the country to campaign.

Mr. Simon Amegashie-Viglo, Volta Regional Secretary of the NDC, said the programme was laudable because supporters must be safe and alive to cast their vote for their parties .**