Illegal speed ramps are responsible for major accidents on highways in Ghana – NRSA
Mr. Mashud Omar Mohammed, the Assistant Oti Regional Planning Manager of the National Road Safety Authority, has observed that illegal speed ramps have contributed to many accidents om peculiar road networks in the region.
He mentioned particularly the stretch through Dodokope in the Krachi Nchumuru district to Kete-Krachi in the Krachi West Municipality of the Oti region.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr. Mohammed stated that residents along that stretch have constructed illegal speed ramps or speed calming devices on the road.
He said these are potentials causes of many accidents leading to the loss of lives with new drivers and motorists of that section being the worst culprits.
Mr. Mohammed said the illegal speed ramps in the area erected by the residents is as a result of over-speeding by drivers and motor riders in the area.
The Assistant Manager recounted how road crashes claimed five lives on the spot around the communities of Ankase and Mata Malam, last year.
Mr. Mohammed stated that his outfit has therefore strategized on how schools along roads supported students to cross safely to reduce road knockdowns and crashes in the area.
He told the GNA that, the Ghana National Road Safety would engage the communities and educate them on effects of illegal speed ramps and assured his outfit would raise standard speed ramps if necessary.
“Because it is not everywhere you can mount speed ramp in the highway,” he said.
He, therefore, pleaded with the residents and road users in the area to desist from the illegal acts to reduce the occurence of accidents.
Meanwhile, to ensure road safety in Krachi West Municipality of the Oti region, Mr. Mohammed explained that on the 27 October 2024, a nine-member committee was inaugurated in the municipality to ensure reduction of accidents in Krachi West.
The committee he said has representatives, from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Heads of Transport Unions, Feeder Engineer, Ghana Education Service, Ghana Health Service and the Oti Coordinating Director among others, chaired by the MCE.
Mr. Mohammed emphasized that, road safety is a collective responsibility and however charged the committee to work harder to ensure safety on the roads in the Municipality.
Source: GNA