Road Safety Is Shared And Collective Responsibility-Police Commander

The Western Regional Police Commander, DCOP Isaac Quainoo, says road safety is a shared and collective responsibility. 

He however entreated the public to support the police in combating reckless driving by motorists. 

DCOP Quainoo also charged Ghanaians not to be passive passengers when onboard vehicles but rather alert drivers who engage in traffic offences such as over speeding, overloading, drunk driving or any act that could be detrimental to the safety of passengers and other road users. 

DCOP Quainoo gave the advice when inaugurating an 11-Member Road Safety Committee at Asankrangwa in the Wassa Amenfi West District of the Western Region. 

The Committee is made up of representatives of the Ghana National Fire Service, the Prison Service, Ghana Education Service, National Commission for Civic Education and the National Road Safety Commission. 

Others are the Ghana Red Cross Society, the District Chief Executive, Police Service, Ghana Private and Road Transport Union, GPRTU, DVLA, Feeder Roads Department and the Stool Lands Secretary. 

The Regional Police Commander charged the Committee to be vigilant and engage in vigorous advocacy campaigns to minimize the spate of road crashes in the area and ensure law and order on the roads. 

He urged motor riders to wear crash helmets and drivers to use their seat belts for their own safety and that of other road users. 

He said the Police Service has embarked on a nationwide exercise to apprehend offending motorists, who break traffic rules and regulations. 

The District Police Commander, DSP Kingsley Owusu Bempah, said 11 people died in the first half of the year through road accidents with 66 injuries, involving 47 vehicles. 

He observed that most of these accidents occurred as a result of over speeding, overloading and drunk driving and therefore, cautioned motorists to change their attitudes to ensure safety on the roads. 

The Regional Manager of the National Road Safety Commission, Samuel Asiamah, said 104 persons died through accidents in the region during the first half of the year, with 466 injuries, involving 645 vehicles. 

He described the figures as unpleasant and called for concerted efforts to minimize the crashes.

GNA