Police to organise accident prevention meetings

Accra, Sept 27, GNA - The Inspector General of Police, Patrick Kwateng Acheampong has directed the Police Administration to organise monthly meetings with stakeholders on road use to minimise the incidence of motor accidents.

Ms Fatima Fuseini, Kaneshie Divisional Commander of Police, said this in Accra on Tuesday at a meeting with members of the Kaneshie Division of the Ghana Private Transport Union (GPRTU) on accident prevention. The Police Commander said it was most unfortunate that many drivers preferred to do the very things that resulted in injury and the loss of lives adding that about 90 per cent of road accidents were the result of human errors out of which 60 were due to speeding.

Ms Fuseini mentioned other factors as over loading, absent-mindedness, lack of experience and bad roads, among a number of factors, which she said drivers must pay attention to. Ms Fuseini advised the executive members of the GPRTU to exercise regulatory controls over their members to ensure the observance of all the rules that would prevent road accidents.

She said the observation of such basic rules such as the provision of first aid kits as well as a triangle and a fire extinguisher on the car, and also keeping to a strict maintenance schedule would go a long way to minimise accidents on the roads.

Ms Fuseini advised drivers to make it a point to understand basic road signs and warned that it was an offence for people to preach or sell drugs while vehicles were still moving.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nuhu Jango observed that most drivers did not observe basic rules when parking cars at bus stops. He said drivers also drove through red traffic lights even when they had to wait and warned that offending drivers would be dealt with severely.

DSP Jango advised the GPRTU Executives to design good parking lots to prevent congestion at lorry parks.