About 21% of road traffic accident victims in Ghana are children
The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) has outlined comprehensive national activities to mark the Third United Nations Global Road Safety Week slated for May 4 to 10.
The period would also be used to highlight the plight of children on the roads; generate action to better ensure their safety; and promote the inclusion of safe and sustainable transport in the post-2015 development agenda.
The NRSC in a statement signed by Mr David Osafo Adonteng, Director of Planning and Programmes, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said statistics indicated that in Ghana, about 21 per cent of all fatalities involved children below the age 16 years.
The statement said from January to March, 60 out of 395 traffic fatalities recorded involved children under age 18.
The NRSC therefore called for a national crusade to highlight the plight of children on the roads.
This year’s event is under the theme: “Children and Road Safety; Save Kids Lives”.
The statement appealed to Government, policy makers, and civil society organisations (csos) to make child safety a national concern.
The statement said the NRSC was spearheading activities, including media sensitization, public durbar, road safety walk, as well as outreach programmes, to secure more safety.
The statement noted that children in Ghana faced the challenge of inadequate crossing aids and properly designated points, including less friendly roads for children, inadequate emergency response, and low usage of seat-belts.
Source: GNA