The Central Regional Branch of the National Road Safety Authority in collaboration with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority and the National Insurance Commission is embarking on a week-long Christmas road safety campaign.
The campaign dubbed: “Christmas with the drivers” is meant to address issues of road safety in the region.
This campaign during the festive season is to also admonish Ghanaians, most especially drivers and passengers, to pay attention to road safety rules and regulations to prevent road crashes.
Speaking on ATL FM’s Atlantic Wave, Assistant Planning Manager of the Central Region Road Safety Authority, Mr. Kwame Tenkorang Osei revealed that, there has been a decrease in road accidents as compared to last year which he attributed to previous campaigns and adherence to road safety regulations.
Statistics reveal a reduction in road accidents by 3.4% from January 2023 to October 2023 as compared to records from January 2022 to October 2022.
The breakdown shows a reduction of 3.8% in vehicle crashes, 4.1% in motor accidents, 23.2% in pedestrian knockdown, 14.7% in persons killed and 13.3% in persons injured.
Mr Tenkorang stressed the need for a road safety campaign during the yuletide as most people travel around the festive season which could increase the number of road accidents.
He urged drivers as well as passengers to take pre-departure checks very seriously since it’s one of the major causes of road accidents.
He opined that contrary to the belief that a “devil” is responsible, the real issue lies with drivers neglecting crucial vehicle checks.
Mr. Kwame Tenkorang Osei mentioned that drivers often focus on fuel and water levels but overlook vital components like tires, lights, and wipers.
Emphasizing shared responsibility, he underscored the need for drivers to conduct thorough pre-trip inspections.
“Passengers are encouraged to assess a vehicle’s condition before boarding and have the right to refuse an unsafe ride. Reporting concerns to authorities is crucial, as road safety is a collective effort. As part of a festive campaign, the public is reminded: “Don’t Speed, Don’t Drink and Drive, Stay Alive, and Arrive Alive,” he continued.
The National Road Safety Authority has introduced Legal Instrument (L.I) 24 68, Act 99, establishing an enforcement unit focused on institutional, rather than individual, accountability. In cases of incidents like crashes, investigations target not just the driver but the entire terminal.
Mr. Tenkorang Osei emphasized that Education initiatives have informed station masters and supervisors to engage with drivers.
Penalties or fines resulting from investigations are directed at the terminal, with the National Road Safety Authority having the power to suspend or shut down operations.
In ensuring that safety regulations are adhered to, Mr. Tenkorang Osei made a plea for cooperation during the yuletide period.
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Source: Flora Tang/ATLFMNEWS
