Ghana Parliament urged to fast-track passage of Road Traffic Amendment Bill
Stakeholders within the road safety sector have urged the parliament of Ghana to expedite action to ensure the passage of the Road Traffic Amendment bill to enhance road safety efforts.
The stakeholders said the current bill had the requisite regulations and frameworks, which reflected modern road safety management systems, and enhanced efforts aimed at improving road safety law enforcement and monitoring.
The call was made during the National Drivers and Transport Conference held in Accra on the theme “Cultivating a Culture of Responsibility: Everyone’s Role in Road Safety.”
The conference is a collaborative effort with the National Road Safety Authority, bringing together stakeholders in the transport industry to discuss critical issues, share experiences, and chart a path for improved road safety and transportation in Ghana.
Chief Superintendent Alexander Kwaku Obeng, Director, Motor Traffic and Transport Department said the Road Traffic Amendment Bill would play an important role in enhancing road traffic enforcement in the country.
He said enforcement of road safety regulations needed a behavioural policy that outlined the sanctions for some road safety behaviours that were inimical to road users.
The Director said the emergence of technology, among other evolutions within the road safety space, made a case that the country must move from in-person to automated enforcement.
He appealed to the Parliament to prioritise the passage of the amendment bill in their next sitting before its tenure ends.
“The emergence of new technology within the transport space, such as hailing drivers and electric vehicles, among many innovative systems that Ghana intends to bring on board, is the reason why we appeal to Parliament not to neglect the bill before their tenure ends,” he said.
Mr. Martin Owusu Afram, Director for Planning and Programmes, NRSA urged Parliament to introduce or support legislation aimed at improving road safety standards to reduce accidents during election periods, particularly the Road Traffic Amendment Bill.
He advocated increased funding for road infrastructure projects, such as road repairs, traffic signage, and construction of pedestrian walkways, to enhance safety on the roads.
The Director also advocated the establishment of victim support services and compensation schemes to ensure that those affected by road accidents receive the assistance they need.
He called for providing support and assistance to victims of road accidents and their families, including access to healthcare, legal aid, and financial assistance.
Mr Opaku Dennis Delali, Chief Executive Officer Drivex, said the current death rates associated with road crashes required the urgent need to make the county’s road safer, noting that we lose six people a day to road crashes.
He said the social and financial impact of road crashes were dire, stating that families were significantly impacted as breadwinners usually lose their lives.
Source: GNA