Upper West records only one accident during yuletide

Wa, Jan 06, GNA- The Upper West Region this year recorded only one road accident from December 25 to January 3, 2006 making it the first time it recorded such a limited number of accidents during the yuletide. Apart from a private vehicle that had an accident at Nyoli near Wa on December 28 in which one person died, the regional Motor Traffic and Transport Unit did not record register any other accident.

Mr George Ankobil, the Regional Police Commander, attributed the low road accidents this year to intensive campaigns carried out by the Regional Road Safety Committee.

He said while the previous campaigns targeted communities, last year's campaigns were focused on identifiable groups, regular drivers and periodic checks to ensure that their educational programmes were impacting positively on the people.

Mr Ankobil said apart from the regional launching that was done in Babile in the Lawra district, other educational programmes were carried out in all the districts of the region.

Mr Nuhu Mahama, the Industrial Relations Officer of the Ghana Private Transport Union (GPRTU), attributed the low accidents to ''drastic measures'' against drivers in the region. He said apart from their daily checking of vehicle tyres and insurance documents before allowing them to embark on their journey, the leadership of the GPRTU has also waged war on overloading and drunken drivers and ensured that appropriate punishments were meted out to offenders.

Mr Mahama said his outfit had also stepped up daily education programmes for drivers in their stations compelling them to abide by the rules and regulations of the union. The Industrial Relations Officer promised to keep educating their people on rule and regulations to ensure regular respect for road and traffic rules in the region.