Turn on the street lights to save lives - Judge appeals

A Circuit Court Judge has urged the agencies in charge to ensure that all highways are lit to avert accidents, leading to the unfortunate loss of lives.

The judge, Sedinam Awo Kwadam, made the appeal when an accused was brought before her court for hitting a pedestrian who died as a result.

She expressed concern that the number of accidents and fatal cases being brought to the court was increasing, stating that poor illumination on the roads was a causative factor.

Mrs Kwadam stated that because some pedestrians do not wear bright clothing, they were not visible when crossing the roads and thus were often times, hit by drivers as a result.

"Put on all streetlights on our highways, those that are defective should be repaired... The situation is scarier when we drive in the night because there are no lights and these places as so dark.

"We pay for streetlights when electricity bills are given to us; yet there are no lights on our highways. “We beg you, put on the lights to save lives on our roads," she said.

Case

The accused, Colbert Ni Ayitey Tagoe, a driver,  was put before her court on charges of careless and inconsiderate driving and negligently causing harm.

He reportedly hit and killed a female adult, Cynthia Dede Tettey, with his Mercedes Benz saloon car, with registration number GN 3060-11.

Tagoe pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 with two sureties. He is to reappear in court on October 16, 2024

Facts

The incident occurred on April 10, 2021, at about 1730 hours, at Madina Redco Junction, a few metres from the footbridge, which was under construction.

The prosecution, led by Chief Superintendent of Police Patience Mario, said that on April 10, 2021, at around 1730 hours, Tagoe drove his Mercedes Benz saloon car with registration number GN 3060-11 from Adenta to Madina Zongo Junction on the Adenta-Madina main road in the middle lane.

When Tagoe reached a section of the road near Redco Junction, a few metres from the overhead bridge, he knocked down Tetteh, 40, who was crossing from the driver's right to the left.

The prosecution said Tetteh sustained injuries and was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital where she was admitted for treatment but died on April 13, 2021.

A report was filed with the police, who also inspected the accident scene, and a case docket was forwarded to the Attorney General for review and advice.