Road crashes should be paramount concern to all – Minister

Mr Fiifi Kwatey, Minister of Transport, says it is important for politicians to recognise that road crashes and injuries are major health problems for the society.

He said Road Traffic crashes and their resultant causalities pose a developmental and public health challenge militating the socio-economic development especially for low and middle income countries.

In a speech read on his behalf at a meeting between the National Road Safety Commission and representatives of political parties in Accra, Mr Kwetey said the leadership of political parties must assume the role of front line enforcers of road traffic regulations and serve as role models for their supporters to emulate.

He said road traffic crashes account for nearly 1,800 deaths a year and are relatively high during festive and busy periods including election years.

He observed that every election cycle is characterised by increased travels and this often translates into increased risk and causalities on our roads.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Patrick Adusei Sarpong, Director General of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) noted that road safety is a shared responsibility to be pragmatic by the society.

He said fatalities resulting in road accident deaths from 2012, 2015 and 2016 had no significant improvement giving the statistics.

As in 2012, the MTTD recorded 2,249 deaths with 2,797 pedestrian’s knockdowns.

He said in 2015 the MTTD recorded a decrease in deaths to 1,634 deaths with 2121 pedestrian’s knockdowns.

ACP Sarpong  said at the end of August 2016  1,396 deaths have been recorded with 1,850 pedestrians knockdowns.

Source: GNA