Commercial drivers must develop attitudinal change – Transport Minister

Mrs Dzifa Ativor, Minister of Transport has called on Union leaders of the various transport service companies in the country to ensure that drivers conduct themselves in the best manner in order to prevent road crashes.

She said, “As union leaders it is your responsibility to check that commercial drivers adhere to all rules and regulations as well as encourage them to exhibit good conduct in all aspects of their duties, especially on the roads”.

She noted that more than 80 per cent of road crashes was as a result of human behavior, especially on the part of drivers and it was high time drastic measures were taken to curb the situation.

Mrs Ativor, made the call when she interacted with members of the various transport unions in Accra last Thursday, to find out how best commercial drivers could change their negative attitudes and assume their responsibilities on the road with seriousness.

She noted that government was ever ready to assist commercial drivers to attain good working conditions, but there was the need for them to also consider attitudinal change in order to enhance the process.

Reacting to some of their concerns, Mrs Ativor said work was almost complete to provide a signage for easy identification of various buses at the Achimota bus terminal, adding that every driver must try as much as possible to belong to a Union, since efforts were in place to avoid the issue of floating drivers.

She said government was also committed to their safety and concern, and was therefore in the process of acquiring bigger buses to be given to them on flexible loan terms to replace their old rickety buses.

She advised the drivers to respect the laws in terms of increment in official transport fares, and try as much as possible not to go contrary to the laws regarding transportation.

Mr Robert Sarbah, Acting Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), expressed gratitude to the Minister for responding to their invitation anytime they called on her to discuss issues regarding transport in the country.

He said some of the challenges facing the Union were that the Achimota bus terminal since its construction had received low patronage since it was almost situated at the outskirts of town and most people found it difficult to walk to that place to board vehicles.

He said the identification of the various destinations of the station was also a problem, since notices on the rather small facial boards were not visible enough to assist passengers to board the right vehicles to their various destinations.

Mr Sarbah appealed to government to assist the drivers to acquire quality and durable buses that would stand the test of time to replace the old ones they were currently using at an affordable bank rate.

He noted that the unwholesome attitude of some drivers by not complying with the approved fares submitted by the transport operators after the 20 per cent increment in fuel prices was uncalled for.

He said their attitudes were unjustified, inappropriate and must be condemned by the GPRTU as well as all right thinking members of the societ.

Mr Sarbah urged passengers to report the conduct of any driver who misbehaved and overcharged passengers to the regional secretariat of the GPRTU for appropriate sanctions to be applied.