The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) in the Upper East region has sensitized drivers on the need for good conduct on the road in order to help minimize accidents during the festive season.
Addressing drivers and other road users at the Bolgatanga main lorry station on Wednesday, ASP Daniel Kwao Teye, Regional MTTU Commander expressed worry over the rising state of road accidents in the region within the period of January to December 2015.
He lamented that many lives have been lost due to carelessness by some road users who have chosen not to abide by road safety regulations. According to the MTTU Commander, Upper East region recorded 55 deaths between January and December 16, 2015 and out of the 55 deaths, 33 occurred in the Bolgatanga Municipality.
He noted that the deaths recorded this year surpasses that of the previous year which stood at 48 recorded deaths in 2014 and 20 deaths recorded specifically in the municipality. Â He stressed that most of the road accidents occurred within the festive season like Christmas. He cautioned drivers to do the right thing by adhering to road traffic regulations.
The Upper East Deputy regional police commander ACP Owiredu Nkansah, who was present at the Christmas campaign also attributed the accidents recorded during the year  to wrongful overtaking, over speeding, lack of maintenance, tiredness on the part of drivers and driving under the influence of alcohol. He as well advised drivers to endeavor to undertake regular maintenance of their vehicles and also take enough rest in order to reduce road accidents in the region in this year’s Christmas.
Mr. Godfred Abulbire, Upper East Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) urged passengers to report drivers who disregard road traffic regulations and drive recklessly to the Police-MTTU for the appropriate actions to be taken against them in order to reduce accidents on the road.
The DVLA regional Director Mr. Vincent W.Y Appiah, also advised motorists who have not gone through training to do so in order to acquire more knowledge on traffic regulations. He stressed, that there is the need for every driver to acquire a driving license.
Addressing drivers at the function, the regional director for National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) Mr. Mohammed Atilado said as part of its responsibilities to reduce accidents on the road, it is important the NRSC embarked on a special campaign during this Christmas festivities to create awareness and sensitize the general public particularly drivers and pedestrians on the need to exercise caution on the road in order not to put their lives in danger.
The commission also awarded three transport companies namely, O.A Transport Company, Metro Mass transit and V3 Transport Company for the discipline they have shown in transport business which is worth emulating. O.A. emerged the best transport company in the region, followed by Metro Mass transit and V3 Transport Company.
By: Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA
