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The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) has launched an intensive road user education campaign focusing on pedestrian and passenger safety.
Put together, pedestrian and passenger deaths are responsible for about 65% of all Road traffic casualties. Consequently, about 60% of crashes that lead to pedestrian and passenger concerns are speed related.
Addressing journalists at the launch, Executive Director of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), Ing. Mrs. May Obiri-Yeboah appealed to motorists especially drivers to observe speed limits whilst driving to help force a reduction in pedestrian and passenger fatalities.
“In view of this our focus is to minimize speeds in order that we can prevent Pedestrian and Passenger casualties. Though, the absence of pedestrian walkways and jay-walking undermine pedestrian safety, the speed levels of motorist are a major contributory factor to the severity of injuries and fatalities”, she explained.
“Campaigns provide an opportunity for us to mirror a road safety challenge often motivated by data. With Easter in sight and the knowledge of the practices of road users during this period, we need to reflect and focus on the issues that contribute to crashes affecting revellers during this period”, the Executive Director explained.
Mrs. May Obiri-Yeboah further noted that the Commission will intensify education on pedestrian and passenger Safety at lorry terminals, schools, churches and mosques to educate motorists.
Since the launch of the Pedestrian Safety Campaign in 2013, some reductions have been recorded. “We are positive that, we can reduce pedestrian deaths further, if we scale up our efforts starting this Easter”, she noted.
Mrs. Obiri-Yeboah explained that the campaign is to help pedestrians and passengers cultivate some positive road user behavior. The Pedestrian and Passenger Safety campaign, she explained will run all year with various activities including the use of both traditional and social media channels. “We shall engage policy makers on the need to improve the infrastructure but that must begin with a better appreciation of the Pedestrian, Passenger & Speed problem, Ing. Mrs.May Obiri-Yeboah noted.
She said the Commission has promoted the use of crossing aids also known as Lollipop stands to help pedestrians especially children cross the road safely. Ing. Mrs Obiri-Yeboah commended De United Foods Industries (Ghana) Limited producers of Indomie Instant noodles for donating 200 pairs of pedestrian crossing aides (lollipop stands).
Teams made up of the NRSC and the National Service Traffic Management personnel will be deployed to Toll booths, lorry terminals and strategic locations on the highways to educate motorists, pedestrians and passengers during this period. The Police MTTD and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority(DVLA) will back the programme with vigorous enforcement of road traffic regulations. This exercise will also be replicated simultaneously nationwide and we need the cooperation of all motorists.
