Police to help reduce road accidents during political activities

The Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Police Service would persuade and educate political party supporters to comply with traffic regulations during political events.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)  Fred Lumor,  in charge of the MTTU in the Volta Region, who gave the  assurance, said  that the police would play their part to reduce road accidents during political activities.

ASP Lumor, however, asked leaders of political parties to educate their followers on the dangers of reckless driving, overloading and indiscipline associated with mass outdoor political activities.

He was speaking at the first of a series of meetings of the Volta Regional Executives of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) and representatives of political parties on road safety during political activities,  in Ho on Thursday.

ASP Lumor said over-zealous supporters playing pranks on motor bikes and vehicles, and large numbers of pedestrians create road traffic challenges during political events.

Mr Sebastian Akyeampong, Volta Regional NRSC Director, said the 2012 Election and Charismas celebrations would pose a big challenge to road safety.

He said political parties would be expected to sign documents, in the course of the impending meetings, enjoining them to promote good road user practices.

The Regional NRSF Secretariat gave each party; the National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party, Convention People’s Party  and the People’s Progressive Party, represented at the forum 400 copies of the “Road Safety Code for Political Parties,” and other road safety fliers for distribution to their members.

The leaflet has a check list for vehicles, composure of drivers in convoys, and precautions for night travels among others.

It recommended that party supporters “travelling in large numbers must be bussed,” and advised against travelling on open pick-up vehicles and trucks and riding motorbikes without helmets.

Source: GNA