Association of driving schools undertakes driver education
The Ghana National Association of Driving Schools has launched a weeklong campaign to educate drivers, would-be drivers and the public on the need for proper driving.
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The move is to help stop the spate of motor accidents, particularly so as the country prepares for the Easter festivities.
Dubbed “Educate Now to Save Life,” the programme would take the association to churches, mosques, educational institutions and media institutions, as well as an engagement with the general public.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign in Accra yesterday, the President of the association, Reverend Erasmus Amankwah Addo, noted that driver training had not been given the proper recognition both at the governmental and societal levels.
Bad drivers
He said until the promulgation of Road Traffic Legislative Instrument 2180 in 2012, drivers were being produced from environments that were very offensive and the products were the major cause of many vehicular accidents.
Rev. Addo said with the implementation of the LI 2180 a year ago, that mandated all would-be drivers to show evidence of having gone through 48 hours of training from a recognised driver training institution, the association was experiencing a situation where would be drivers came to them and said, “I know how to drive, therefore, register me so I can qualify for a driver’s licence.”
That, he said, contradicted the law, pointing out also that driving had a close link with the lives of people.
Safety of passengers
For instance, Rev. Addo said some drivers at any given time had the lives of 20, 30 or 60 people under their control and as leaders, they are expected to guide and guard them to their destinations.
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“Carelessness on the part of such drivers result in chaos as witnessed on our roads,” he said.
He said if the nation failed to give the best education to its drivers, then “I am afraid we will continue to witness such horrors as was seen on the Kintampo road and other places which is costing government millions of cedis in terms of medical supplies and rehabilitation of accident victims.”
The only solution proffered by the association was to adequately prepare the driver in various stages of their profession through education.
Proper driver education
“If the driver is well educated, then supervision and enforcement will be minimal,” Rev. Addo said.
He urged members of the public who would want to drive to patronise recognised driving schools that were under the umbrella of the association.
“To identify an approved driving school that is recognised by the association, look for the Ghana drive membership flag and certificate. Ghana drive approved instructors should always bear their membership cards,” he added.