Draft road traffic regulation is before Parliament – Transport Minister

The Minister for Transport, Alhaji Collins Dauda has said plans are underway for the introduction of a new set of road traffic regulations in the country.

He said a draft of the regulations had already been forwarded to Parliament and that steps were being taken to have them institutionalised.

Alhaji Dauda said this in an address read on his behalf by Mr Augustine Agblewornu, Director at the Ministry of Transport at the Transport Day celebration in Tema.

The day was under the theme: “Road Safety, My Responsibility.”

The Minister mentioned transport operators, unions, G.hana National Association of Passengers, DVLA, and the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) as some of the stakeholders for the introduction of the new Road Traffic Regulation.

Alhaji Dauda said objectives for observing the day was two fold, adding that the first was to offer the opportunity to draw the attention of policy makers to the need to consider road safety as a poverty reduction concern and an important national developmental issue.

He said it would allow the press to devote some of their time to focus on one of the core issues that mattered to their listeners, viewers and readers with regard to public transportation and safety on the roads.

According to the Minister, available records showed that road traffic crashes in the country were responsible for an average of six deaths daily and 1,800 deaths annually and leaving several thousands injured and incapacitated.

Alhaji Dauda said it was expected that when the new draft regulation was passed the transport system would be more effectively regulated to enhance safety on the roads.

He said to achieve this  would  need the cooperation of all concerned, adding that road safety was a shared responsibility and all should contribute to make the country’s transport system safe.

Mr Noble Appiah, Executive Director of NRSC advised drivers to observer road traffic regulations to help reduce accidents on the roads.

He urged transport operating unions to periodically educate their members to comport themselves, eschew all negative tendencies  such as drink- driving, over speeding and overtaking to ensure safety on the roads.

The Executive Director announced that next year the National Driving Academy would commence and hoped that the drivers would take advantage of the programme to update their knowledge and skills as well as be abreast with current road safety regulations and policies.

Later, the Ghana National Association of Passengers staged a  demonstration on the checking of vehicles before leaving the station, which included  the checking of tyres, fire extinguishers, insurance cover, and driver appearance, among others.

Mr Freddie T. Cout-Pinto, National Executive Chairman of the Association, urged the drivers to cooperate with the association in the performance of their duties, to help bring sanity and to avoid crashes on the roads.

In attendance were personnel from the Fire Service, Immigration, chiefs, drivers, passengers, drivers unions, the Police and personnel from the National Ambulance Service.

Source: GNA