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The number of persons killed in road traffic crashes in the Ashanti Region from January 2020 up to the first quarter of this year has reportedly soared to a staggering 5,650 – the Ashanti Regional Head of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Simbiat Wiredu, has hinted.
Presenting a report on road crashes over the period, during a visit by the BIGRS Global Director Kelly Larson to Kumasi last week, she said there were a total 2,589; 2,924 and 137 reported deaths in 2020, 2021and first quarter of 2022 respectively, following 14, 888; 15,972 and
918 reported crashes over the period under review during which same period 2,728; 2,930 and 138 pedestrians were knocked down.
Ms Wiredu said the total reported crashes involved 9,356 commercial vehicles, 10,112 private cars and 5,684 motorcycles in 2020 while10,381 commercial cars, 668 private cars and 6,103 motorcycles got involved in crashes in 2021. About 1,545 vehicles, she said, got involved in crashes in the first quarter of this year.
The NRSA Regional officer, attributed the spate of road crashes to road environment, human error and vehicular factors explained in speeding, wrongful overtaking, drink driving and jumping red light. She also identified inadequate road furniture and pedestrian crossing
facilities, nature of roads and non compliance of work zone safety by contractors.
The vehicular factor was also attributed to importation of sub-standard used vehicles and broken down vehicles.
Simbiat Wiredu also pointed to indiscriminate use of pedestrian facilities by hawkers and motorists; inadequate spaces for commercial and private vehicular activities, excessive speed by drivers and tricycle riders; 60% of who are said to be untrained, underage and without licences, as contributing to the threatening situations on the roads.
She reminded drivers of the messages of the “Stay Alive” campaign launched by the NRSA recently and called on them not to do the bidding of the perceived devil during the festivities and at all times.
The Ashanti Regional Commander of the police MTTD, Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Adu Boahen in a power point presentation said 155 cases of Road Traffic offences were reported in the first quarter of 2022 representing a 40% decrease of 259 cases recorded in the same period of the previous year.
Giving a summary report, Chief Superintendent Adu Boahen said there were 35 cases of careless and inconsiderate driving while 29 cases of unauthorised stop and parking representing a 73% decrease in the 107cases recorded in 2021.
The Police MTTD boss said while there was no case of drink driving in 2021, five of such cases were dealt with in the first quarter of 2022.
Other offences he reported on included use of communication gadgets while driving (9), driving without licence (27) in 2022 against 24 in 2021.
Chief Superintendent Adu Boahen also announced that 123 cases were arraigned before the courts and that out of the 123 cases, 98 were convicted and fined a total of GHc77,336 against GHc84,626 in 2021.
The MTTD chief also disclosed that 16 cases are awaiting trial while 22 cases had been closed with 12 cases still under investigation.
