Crime

36 die, 269 injured in road crashes during Easter

At least 36 persons were killed and 269 others suffered injuries in 173 road accidents, across the country, during the Easter festivities.

Similarly, 143 accidents, involving 28 deaths and 269 injuries were recorded within the same period the previous year.

The recent crashes, which were recorded from April 15 to 18, 2020, involved 147 private vehicles, 95 commercial vehicles and 66 motorcycles.

The breakdown of the recorded accidents in the police regions are as follows: Accra 83, Tema, 13, Eastern, 26, Central, 9, Central East,  six, Western, one, Ashanti, three, Volta, three, Upper West, two, Upper East, one, Bono, four, Bono East,  five, Western North, eight, and North East, three.

Other regions, Ahafo, Oti, Savanna and Northern regions,did not record any accident.

The Director of the Police Public Affairs Directorate, Chief Superintendent (Chief Sup) Alexander KwekuObeng, who disclosed these to the Ghanaian Times, in Accra, yesterday, stated that the deaths involved,29 males and 7 females.

He said the causes of the accidents were speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, wrongful overtaking, non-compliance of road traffic rules and regulations, which resulted in 37 pedestrians ‘knock downs.’

Chief Sup Obeng stated road accidents affected the socio-economic development of the country, and called on stakeholders to cooperate in unity to address the menace.

He said ensuring road safety was a shared responsibility of all the citizenry, and called on the public to support the police to protect lives and properties.

Chief Supt Obeng assured the public of the police continuous determination in ensuring that the roads were safe for commuters through effective education.

He advised drivers to adhere to road safety regulations, to ensure that lives and properties were saved.

Chief Supt Obengsaid that the police would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute offending drivers to serve as deterrent to others.

He advised pedestrian to use designated areas when crossing the rad to prevent knock downs.

BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI

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