Road safety campaign launched at Apam

Apam (C/R), Dec. 17, GNA - A Road Safety Campaign has been launched at Apam with a call on drivers to disabuse their minds that motor accidents are caused by the devil.

Mr. Kwasi Asare Baffuor, Apam District Commander of Police who made the call rather attributed the major cause of motor accidents to the desire of drives to make quick money especially during Christmas and other festivities.

Mr. Asare Baffuor said if even the devil had a hand in motor accidents, drivers should not give it a chance to destroy innocent souls during the coming Christmas and New Year festivities.

The campaign was sponsored by Apam branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU).

Mr. Asare Baffuor exhorted drivers to discard the notion that taking alcoholic drinks made one drive better. He urged drivers attempting to enter major roads not to underrate the speed of oncoming vehicles and allow them to pass before they join the road.

"Do not over take more than two vehicles at a time and do not attempt to over take a vehicle which is overtaking another vehicle," the police commander advised, the drivers.

Mr Asare Baffuor implored transport owners to ensure regular maintenance of their vehicles.

He advised pedestrians to keep to the left side of the road to enable them to see on-coming vehicles. The Police Commander urged passengers not to allow drivers to carry excess passengers. "Insist on your rights when a driver wants to overload the vehicle."

Mr. John Coffie, Apam GPRTU branch Chairman admonished drivers and their mates to appear neat when on duty. He expressed concern about drivers who load by the roadsides instead of going to the lorry parks and said such behaviours caused accidents.

A contributor at an open forum appealed to the police who go on motor checks to ensure that the facilities that contributed to safe driving were available on the vehicles.