As the Christmas season approaches, John Quarshie, the Regional Public Relations Officer at the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), has shed light on the organization’s ‘Stay Alive Operation-Comply’ campaign which is designed to address the rise in road crashes, injuries, and deaths that often occur during the holiday period, especially during election years and festive seasons.
“Stay Alive Operation-Comply is a project that we are embarking on to reduce the crashes, injuries, and deaths because statistics show that during election years and Christmas, such cases usually rise.”
Speaking on A1 Radio, Mr. Quarshie noted that statistics show a marked increase in road-related incidents during these times, which are frequently attributed to driver negligence. He dispelled the myth that such accidents are caused by supernatural forces, stating that it is, in fact, human error, particularly speeding, that leads to these tragic events. “People have the perception that when it’s Christmas, the witches and wizards take blood, but I can say it’s not them, it’s our negligence.”
During the festive season, many drivers and riders, he said, are tempted to speed in an effort to make more money, taking advantage of the high volume of people on the roads. However, this dangerous behavior often results in crashes, injuries, and, in some cases, fatalities. Mr. Quarshie revealed that speeding is responsible for 90 percent of the accidents recorded on the roads. “90 percent of the crashes we record on our roads boil down to speeding.”
He also highlighted the role of passengers in promoting safety, urging them to speak up when they notice a driver or rider exceeding the speed limit and emphasized that passengers should not remain silent, as they too can be affected by the consequences of speeding. “When a driver or rider is speeding, you don’t need to be quiet as a passenger because when the unforeseen happens, you’ll all be affected. So what we always say is that you must speak up as a passenger. Don’t just be a spectator, speak up but in a polite way.” “Don’t just sit in and say I’m in a hurry. It’s better you arrive at wherever you are going late than to be called ‘the late’,” he added.
He advised passengers to politely voice their concerns, and if the driver refuses to comply, they should either report the incident to the nearest police station or record the details of the vehicle and driver for later reporting to the authorities.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
