Road safety, multi–sectoral approach needed to deal with menace - STC Chair

Mr Samuel Oppong, the Board Chairman of the Inter-City STC said, road safety around the world is a very critical issue that needs concerted multi–sectoral approach to deal with.

He said in Ghana, the loss of human lives and property through road accidents was overwhelmingly incredible as available data on road crash casualties indicated that over 10,000 lives were lost between 2015 and 2018 in reported cases only. “These figures are quite alarming and frightening”.

Mr Oppong said this at a ceremony to raise funds towards the construction of a Community Social Centre for Oyoko to enhance the image of the town, unite the people and cause the citizens in both the local and foreign locations to feel proud to visit home as often as possible.

He suggested for consideration a three-way approach towards reversing the negative trends to avert the situation.

Mr Oppong who is also a transport expert said, there was the need for a comprehensive and intense education on road safety to support the Road Safety Commission and the National Commission on Civic Education.

He called on citizens to promote safety trainings at work places and occupational health and across industry in the country, noting that by this, road safety consciousness would become more inherent for both motorists and pedestrians.

“Road safety education should also be intensified in our schools to create awareness and National Road Safety Commission should also intensify their efforts to sustain education across board”.

He called on motorists to ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy before setting off even for a short distance trip, adding that, “when vehicles are in good conditions, the chances that they would be involved in accidents due to mechanical failure or faults will be reduced to the barest minimum.”

The Board Chairman urged motorists to be careful while driving especially during festive seasons, adding, “motorists should be disciplined enough to avoid drunk-driving, speeding, driving among others.”

“Passengers on the other hand should be on the look-out and advise motorists when they observe irregular behaviour of drivers, if we all do what is expected of us, we shall be able to reduce the carnage on our roads.” He reminded them contribute their quota in building the Community Social Centre to benefit all.