Upper East launches road safety awards

The Upper East Branch of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), on Friday launched its annual awards for transport unions and the media with a call on the unions to monitor their drivers and ensure that they abide by road safety regulations.

The Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Daniel Kwafo Teye, who launched it in Bolgatanga, noted that most mistakes made by drivers on the roads were avoidable.

He urged motorists to drive within speed limits and regularly maintain their vehicles so as to help the Commission to achieve its goal of reducing road crashes by 50 per cent by 2020.

He noted that the best unions would be chosen based on their good practices and urged management of such unions to sustain the good work that would earn them national recognition.

Mr Mahama Atilado, Regional Manager, NRSC, said the awards, meant for deserving unions was aimed at motivating them to adopt best road safety practices.

The unions are expected to satisfy certain criteria such as operational standards, evidence of framework for assessing driver license and medical certificates, evidence of drivers’ complaints with traffic rules prohibitions and evidence of drivers’ compliance with traffic rules, prohibition and restrictions.

They would have to show that their drivers get regular training, plan their journeys well and have appropriate license and experience.

Mr Godfred Abogbiere, Regional Chairman of GPRTU, noted that the biggest challenge of the union was monitoring the speed and conduct of drivers while they were on road and called on passengers not to hesitate to report any driver, who behaved rudely towards them.

He said the Union had been organising night classes for the illiterate drivers to enable them read road signs and understand better road regulations and laws.

Source: GNA