Ensure road safety during X’mas and election period - ACP Awuni

The National Command of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Police Service on Sunday organised a Road Safety Walk through some principal streets of Accra.

Stakeholders in the road transport sector who joined personnel of the MTTU led by the Commander of the Unit, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Angwubutoge Awuni on the procession included staff of the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA), National Ambulance Service, Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and the various transport unions.

The walk started from the Independence Square and ended at the Neoplan Station at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle.

Addressing the participants at the end of the walk, ACP Awuni said it was during the Christmas and New Year period that high numbers of road accidents with their accompanying fatalities, injuries and loss of life and property were recorded.

He said the period this year was exceptional considering the fact that Presidential and Parliamentary elections were only some few weeks away and reminded the people on the need to reduce the carnage on the roads.

ACP Awuni said road fatalities have shown a rising trend over the past five years and attributed the phenomenon to a large extent to human error.

He called on the people especially the major stakeholders in the transport sector to strive to eliminate the human errors that lead to accidents to ensure a reduction of preventable road crashes.

The National MTTU Commander spoke against the conduct of motorists and other road users such as pedestrians, motorcycle riders and cyclists that had been identified as the causes of road accidents and crashes.

He advised road users especially motorists against excessive speeding, drunk driving, driving under the influence of hard drugs, non maintenance of vehicles, driving tired, wrong overtaking, engaging one hand on mobile phones and other unacceptable practices.

ACP Awuni urged the people against indiscriminate crossing of roads and the failure of riders to wear safety crash helmets.

He asked road users especially motorists to be very patient and cautious on the roads and highways and to eschew the rush that characterizes the few weeks to Christmas and said “Let us all kill the rush and live to see the following year”.

The National MTTU Commander reminded political parties about their responsibilities to their members and the public, adding that, an election year did not connote lawlessness and indiscipline.

He said their quest for the people’s votes should not blind them on bad practices and urged them to use their rallies and gatherings to educate their members to be law abiding.

Road safety messages were delivered by the various stakeholders who participated in the walk to ensure an accident free Christmas and New Year period and election.