Drivers and vulcanisers end workshop

Kumasi, Sept 5, GNA - Chief Superintendent of Police Augustine Gyening, the Ashanti Regional commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), has called on drivers to take advantage of driving courses and programmes being offered by the Ashanti Regional Road Safety Committee to improve upon their profession.

Chief Supt. Gyening was addressing the closing session of a day's workshop for 35 drivers from various transport unions in the Kumasi metropolis and 15 roadside vulcanisers in Kumasi on Friday. The workshop, the third in a series, enabled over 100 drivers and vulcanisers in the region to update their skills and knowledge on modern driving techniques and maintenance of lorry tyres.

It was organised by the National Road Safety Commission in collaboration with the Board of IMAS Limited, management consultants in Accra and it focused on vehicle maintenance, tyres and driving environment.

Chief Supt. Gyening said after acquiring the skills and the knowledge, they should put it into practice and also share the experience with their colleagues.

This, he said, would go a long way to reduce numerous road accidents, which were claiming lives and property of late. Chief Supt. Gyening told them that they have been trained to be professional drivers who drive defensively and that there was the need for them to be very cautious and polite when driving.

"If your colleague is driving carelessly on the road, just ignore him and do the right thing to avoid confusion," he said.

Mr. Kwaku Oware-Boateng, the Ashanti Regional Road Safety Co-ordinator, said the rampant road accidents in the region had become a source of worry and concern and therefore urged the participants to share the knowledge they have acquired with their colleagues to help reduce the accidents, adding that his outfit was planning intensive road safety programmes for drivers in the region.

He called on them to avoid overloading and unnecessary overtaking and other negative practices that can result in road accidents. Mr Joseph Agyeman-Prempeh, a participant, said they would endeavour to set good examples for their colleagues.