Eastern Region recorded more motor accidents

Koforidua, Feb.10, GNA- The Eastern Region Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU) statistics indicated that a total of 1,101 motor accident cases involving 1,293 vehicles were recorded between January 2003 and December 2003.

The statistics therefore, showed that the number of accidents had increased in the region compared to the previous year whiles the number of deaths had rather reduced in the same instance.

Out of the number, 140 passengers lost their lives, 606 sustained serious injuries while 817 minor injuries were sustained within the same period.

The Eastern Regional Commander of the Mottor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) ASP James Amoah, who disclosed this in an interview at Koforidua on Tuesday, said a total of 9.1 million cedis were collected as fines imposed on drivers who were involved in various accidents during the year.

He said out of the total cases recorded, 40 were prosecuted in court while 731 of the cases were under investigations for the necessary action to be taken against the offenders.

Giving the breakdown of the cases in the region, he indicated that 249 were recorded in the Koforidua Division in 2002 as against 288 in 2003, 154 at Oda Division in 2002 as against 182 last year and Nkawkaw Division recorded 212 in 2002 as against 261 last year. ASP Amoah regretted that despite the numerous road safety education campaign organised during the last quarter of the year to ensure accident-free Yuletide, drivers still indulged in acts that resulted in increasing the rate of accidents in the region and warned that his outfit would not tolerate drivers whose carelessness resulted in the perishing of innocent lives.

He said in redeeming the situation this year, the Regional Command of the MTTU, in collaboration with the National Road Safety Committee would embark on vigorous road safety campaigns throughout the year. He said the programme would include seminars, quiz and talk shows on road traffic regulations for institutions and commercial drivers and students in both the second and first cycle institutions throughout the regions.