By Samuel Ansah Boateng
Poised to reduce the upsurge of road accidents in the country, the National Road Safety Authority has admonished users of public transports to speak against over speeding anytime they use their services.
With over speeding being a major cause of car accidents, the authority has encouraged passengers to immediately vent out their displeasure anytime a driver over speeds, or better still report to the nearest police check point.
Passengers can always draw the driver’s attention to over speeding, and other related acts likely to cause accidents, but should be done in a more calm and friendly manner to avoid unnecessary engagements with drivers when driving, the Authority has said.
As part of their measures, the Greater Accra branch of the Authority has deployed Road Safety officers to engage users of public transports, drivers and pedestrians, and educate them on road safety tips and other necessary information to curtail road accidents and other related issues.
The Greater Accra branch of the National Road Safety Authority, since last year has piloted road safety training and education for about 13,000 high-risk commercial drivers.
In series of engagements with Road Safety Officers and road users at the Neoplan Station in Accra yesterday, Motor riders were schooled to put on helmets, avoid needless maneuvering, look out for pedestrians, and not to avoid traffic rules.
Pedestrians were also cautioned to look out for safe crossing facilities like crossing points of footbridges, avoid walking on the roadway and instead walk on walkways if provided and be visible at nights by wearing bright clothes to reduce the risk of being knocked down.
To put commuters in check, the Authority has hinted it will soon deploy Road Safety Inspectors at major road transport terminals to conduct pre-departure checks of vehicles and drivers to help minimize the risk of crashes before departure.
Between January and November last year, according to the Motor and Traffic Unit Department of the Ghana Police Service, about 2,310 people have died of road accidents, and the Authority, this year seeks to reduce such occurrences by putting in more efforts and engagements, NRSA- Greater Accra has hinted.
