The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), in the Bono East Region, has recorded 162 road accident cases in the first half of this year.
These, according to the Bono East Regional Head of the NRSA, Mr Emmanuel Akyeampong-Parry, included 112 commercial vehicles; 42 privately-owned cars; 107 motorbikes and 36 pedestrian knockdowns.
Mr Akyeampong-Parry, in an interview with the Ghanaian Times on Friday in Techiman, said the region registered 66 deaths out of the number, which included 37 motorbikes and 29 vehicles.
The Regional Head noted that, the NRSA in the region recorded 235 injuries in the period under review, saying that key stakeholders had put measures in place to reduce accident cases.
He told the Ghanaian Times that, about 90 per cent of the cases were caused by speed driving, under-aged riders, unlicenced riders and drivers and deplorable roads.
Mr Akyeampong-Parry further said the use of cell phones while driving, riding, and fatigue, as a result of long hours driving, also caused accidents in the region adding that it was not advisable to drive more than 500 kilometers without rest.
“The NRSA met with Techiman traditional council, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), the district assemblies, the Motor Traffic and Transport Division (MTTD) on enforcing the law on offenders,” he told the Ghanaian Times.
The Regional Head further said they had intensified public education on road safety in the region, adding that “training workshop has been organised for ‘Pragyia’ riders. The various driver unions will also receive the training”.
He implored residents in the Bono East Region to strictly abide by road safety rules and regulations to foster peace on the roads, and advised drivers to maintain their vehicles.
Mr Akyeampong-Parry urged passengers to avoid over-loading of goods and persons and to report indisciplined drivers to the police and other authorities.
“The NRSA is mandated to regulate, ensure implementation and enforcement of road safety standards and procedures in the Bono East Region” Mr Akyeampong- Parry told the Ghanaian Times.
He commended the efforts of stakeholders in ensuring road safety in the region and asked them to do more.
FROM EMMANUEL ADU GYAMFI, TECHIMAN
