Some Politicians, Office holders blamed for road carnage
Some politicians and other high office holders in the country have been blamed for undue interference in the operations of road safety regulatory bodies resulting in carnage on the roads.
Mr Alexander Attibo Ayatah, Volta Regional Manager of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), who made the assertion, also alleged that some officials also endeavour to influence the Police to release drivers arrested for road traffic offences.
Mr Ayatah, who was addressing the Volta Regional branch of NRSC meeting in Ho on Wednesday, called on Ghanaians to support road safety measures to avoid accidents.
Issues discussed included erection of indiscriminate speed bumps on the roads, operation of motorbikes as commercial passenger carriers and pot holes on the roads.
He said some of the lorry accidents occurred as a result of drunk-driving, over-speeding, reckless driving, fatigue and use of mobile phones while driving.
Mr Ayatah said 539 people died and 1,498 were injured in accidents involving 2,634 vehicles in the Region from 2007 to 2010.
He said in the first quarter of 2011, 27 people died in road accidents in the Region.
Mr Ayatah said it was irresponsible and defeatist for some people to perceive the notion that accident victims have been destined to die through accident.
Mr Samuel Owusu-Berko, Ho Municipal Police Commander, wondered why public figures complained about indiscipline on the roads but sought the release of road traffic offenders.
He cited that a Ghanaian Police officer on UN duty was arrested in Australia for over-speeding and fined by the court and asked if that could happen in Ghana.
Mr Owusu-Berko expressed worry that drivers of commercial and private vehicles flouted road traffic regulations.
Mr Frederick Senanu Lumor, Volta Regional Commander of the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit of the Ghana Police Service, expressed dissatisfaction that some of the motor riders had no licenses.
Mr Felix Kattah, Manager of the Ambulance Service in Ho, complained that bumps disturb the posturing of patients being rushed to hospitals in ambulances.
Source: GNA