Car crashes on the rise — NRSC

Two thousand and eighty five car crashes resulting in 366 fatalities were recorded within the first two months of this year by the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC).

According to the NRSC, this was a sharp increase on the 1986 road crashes which resulted in 354 fatalities, recorded within the same period last year.
Giving more insight on the situation, the Executive Director of the NRSC, Mrs May Obiri-Yeboah, said 2,272 injuries involving 3,415 vehicles were also recorded this year as compared to 2,069 injuries involving 2,987 vehicles last year.

“The number of road traffic crashes and the number of vehicles involved have increased by approximately five per cent and 14.3 per cent respectively, whereas the number recorded for injuries and deaths have respectively appreciated by 9.8 per cent and 3.4 per cent,” she explained.

She was speaking at the launch of the 2018 Easter roads safety campaign in Accra on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.

The NRSC boss said most of these road crashes were caused by non-compliance of traffic regulations and deficiencies associated with road infrastructure.
Under the theme “The family needs you alive, drive safely, think safety”, Mrs Obiri-Yeboah said the campaign was to intensify education and reduce road accidents during the Easter season.

Support

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Transport, Mr Kwaku Asiamah, said statistics given by the NRSC also revealed that about 60 per cent of the crash victims were within the productive age of 18-55 years.

The situation he said if not controlled would have a negative effect on the economic prospects of the country.

“We need the energies of our productive compatriots to build a country that is not reliant on aid. We must improve our road safety records in order to increase productivity, boost tourism and consequently improve growth and reduce poverty,” he said.
He called on pedestrians and passengers to play their part of adhering to road regulations, adding that the ministry was taking steps to review the entire road traffic regulations to address gaps and emerging road safety concerns to improve enforcement.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr David Asante-Appeatu reiterated the commitment of the police to ensure safety on the road and collaboratively sensitise road users on the need to be safety conscious.

DVLA exams

The Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Mr Kwasi Agyeman Busia, said the authority will by the fourth quarter of this year deploy a voice over version of the computer based test in five local languages to allow citizens who cannot write and read to obtain professional driving licenses with ease.

He said the move is to ensure that all drivers had legal documents to operate with and to reduce the huge money spent in acquiring fake documents.
For his part, the Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Mr Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, said the ministry would ensure that there were adequate signages and markings on the road and also fix malfunctioning road infrastructures.

In attendance were representatives from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD), Police Service, and the Member of Parliament for Okaikoi North Constituency, Mr Issah Fuseini.