Authorities intensify road checks ahead of Christmas
The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), in collaboration with the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), has embarked on random road checks along the Tarkwa/Takoradi highway to ensure accident-free Christmas this year.
During the exercise, 35 drivers were arrested for driving without licence, over-speeding, broken windscreens, defective brake lights, worn-out tyres, over loading and expired driving licence.
Alhaji Sumani Mbo, Western Regional Manager of the Commission, told the media that the NRSC and the MTTU embarked on the exercise to sensitize motorists and other road users on road safety measures to reduce carnage on the road.
The exercise was conducted at accident-prone areas, stretching from Nsuaem through Dadwen, Dompim, Kofikrom, Kedadwen to Tarkwa where many accidents have been recorded in recent times.
He said: “We decided to intensify the road safety advocacy campaign early to sensitize motorists to be patient, tolerant, disciplined and respectful, and adhere strictly to road safety regulations.”
Alhaji Mbo said road safety enforcement was crucial for preventing crashes, saying “if you create awareness and fail to prosecute motorists that blatantly disobey road safety regulations, then the problem will persist.”
“Therefore, it is incumbent upon all the stakeholders within the road sector, to put their acts together to stem the tide,” he said.
Alhaji Mbo said his outfit had targeted reducing road crashes by 50 percent this year.
As a result, he said, it had undertaken remedial measures such as educational drive, formation of road safety clubs in schools and committees in districts in the Region to support that worthy course.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Thomas Bayor, Western Regional Commander of the MTTU, said 157 accidents were recorded from January to September on the Tarkwa/Takoradi stretch alone.
He said 44 people died 146 were injured.
Source: GNA