E/R records 297 accidents in first quarter

Koforidua, April 12, GNA-Seventy-five people died in 295 road accidents recorded in the Eastern Region from January to March, this year, the Eastern Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service, has said.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Koforidua, Police Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, the Regional Commander of the MTTU, said a total of 391 vehicles were involved in the accidents. He said out of the number, 241 were commercial vehicles, whereas private vehicles totalled 129 and 21 mini buses. Superintendent Peprah indicated that 57 of the victims died on the spot while 18 passed away at the various hospitals. According to him, those below 18 years were 11, out of which six were males and five were females. "Those above 18 years were 64; with 52 being males and 12 females" he said.

He indicated that 44 pedestrians were knocked down by speeding vehicles and that a total of 404 persons sustained various degrees of injuries as at the end of March, this year. Superintendent Peprah noted that Kibi division in the region recorded 110 accident with 23 deaths, the highest, followed by Akyem Oda which recorded 58 with 11 deaths.

The rest were Koforidua, 39 with 11 deaths, Akosombo, 36 with 10 deaths, Akropong, 30 with 12 deaths and Nkawkaw, 24 with eight deaths. He expressed worry about the number of accidents recorded just within the first three months of the year saying most of them were as a result of drivers' negligence.

He called on all road users to exercise maximum caution and avoid over speeding and reckless driving especially as Easter was approaching adding, 93life is a precious thing for all human beings."