GPRTU official enumerates causes of accidents

Sunyani B/A, Dec. 16, GNA - Mr. Richard Yaw Amankwaa, Sunyani Main Branch Secretary of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has said the increasing rate of accidents in the country was the result of human error, physical examination and mechanical liabilities on the part of drivers.

Mr. Amankwaa, who was speaking to Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani on Thursday stressed the need for Motor Traffic Transport Union (MTTU) of the Police administration and GPRTU together with the Custom Excise Preventive Service (CEPS) to expunge unworthy vehicles from the roads to help minimize the rate of accidents.

He dispelled the perception that road accidents particularly during Christmas festivities were linked to spiritual deity and emphasized the need for drivers to study and observe road signs, desist from excessive over speeding as well as over-loading.

Mr. Amankwaa said his outfit was undergoing a-two-week exercise to inspect driving license, certificates of Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) as well as Vehicle insurance from drivers to ensure accident-free in this Christmas celebration.

He spoke against the habit of drivers who took in alcohol before driving and unnecessary interference on the part of passengers which, he said, tended to detract the concentration of drivers. To help stem the rate of armed robbery on our roads in this Christmas festivities, Mr. Amankwaa said GPRTU jointly with MTTU have embarked on an exercise to search passengers who board long distance vehicles for deadly weapons.

In a related development Mr. K. Amegah, Brong-Ahafo Regional licensing Officer of DVLA has expressed concern about the misuse of headlamps by some drivers.

He was not happy about some drivers who use high beam when driving in towns and other settlements, which, he said, was a factor that contributed to road accident.

High beams Mr. Amegah stressed were being used during the night at areas where no vehicle was on sight to pave way for drivers to continue their journey.

He advised drivers to anticipate any unforeseen contingency on our roads when plying to their various destinations to avoid accidents. He commended Catholic Relief Services, Volta River Authority, and Ghana Water Company for their series of lecturers with DVLA with the result that there had not been any serious road accident in the region for the past four years that he had been in the region. Mr. Amegah renewed his appeal for all road users to be much vigilant to help reduce the alarming rate of road accident in the country.