Eighty per cent road accidents due to human error – GPRTU

Mr Robert Sarbah, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), said statistics had shown that 80 per cent of road accidents were due to human error.

He, therefore, urged drivers to be cautious on the road by avoiding excessive speeding, wrongful overtaking, drunk-driving, fatigue and regularly undertake maintenance of their vehicles.

Mr Sarbah, who gave the advice during the election of executives of seven branches of the GPRTU in Accra on Sunday, said by so doing they would reduce the rate of accidents.

The branches are Dansoman Taxi, Kwashieman Trotro, Okaikwei Taxi, Industrial Area Cargo, Dome/Kwabenya/Brekuso, Tsuibleoo and Accra/Dzodze/Penyi.

Mr Sarbah, who is chairman of the Kwashieman Trotro branch, urged drivers to be their brother’s keeper by advising themselves to do the right things if any of them went against the  driving ethics.

He tasked the district assemblies to conduct regular checks of the lorry stations and prevent selling of alcoholic beverages there.

Mr Seth Kudolo, who won the chairmanship position of the Accra/Dzodze/Penyi branch, told the Ghana News Agency that the welfare of the members would be his paramount concern.

He promised to collaborate with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service once every month to organise workshops on safe and defensive driving for members.

Mr Osei Nketiah, Chairman of the Dome/Kwabenya/Brekuso branch, appealed to the Government to rehabilitate roads and create walkways for passengers to prevent accidents.

He said under his leadership, the union had acquired a 50-acre plot of land which was being sold to members on hire-purchase.

Source: GNA