MOTOR ACCIDENTS CLAIM 247 LIVES IN C/R STATE

By Caleigh McLelland (Projects Abroad)

Using a mobile phone, not wearing a seatbelt and eating are all illegal activities to take part in while driving in Canada.

So, as a Canadian living in Ghana, being in a car that does not have working seatbelts, with a driver who takes no notice of traffic signs, it is not surprising that 2011 saw a rise in motor accidents and casualties associated with motor accidents in Ghana's Central Region.

In 2011, the Central Region alone had a total of 1120 reported accidents; 246 of those occurring between January and April.

Last year not only ended with the most accidents in over two decades but also saw the highest number of persons killed due to motor accidents; a total of 247.

According to the National Road Safety Commission, accidents are happening primarily because of pedestrians, followed by speeding, fatigue and wrongful overtaking.

Although listed as the fastest growing world economy of 2011, Ghana's traffic regulations are lacking, which is undoubtedly putting peoples' safety at risk and therefore hindering the country from prospering even further.

In the May 3 - 15, 2011 Issue of Central Press, Axel Patsch outlined many of the reasons behind the increase in motor accidents during the first quarter of 2011. He explained that, although road maintenance is important in tackling the issue at hand, educating the public about road safety would likely show the best results. Thankfully, there is a current platform that shares the same thought and is taking action.

During the launch of the Disaster and Road Safety Foundation, Dasebere Kwebu Ewusi VII, Chairman for the Central Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Risk Management, stated that, “each year, disasters not only deprive millions of people of food security, access to clean drinking water and social services but also reverse past development gains and impedes further socio-economic programs.”

He believes, however, that the government cannot fix this growing issue alone.

“The role I can play to support government,” he said, “is to raise funds to mitigate the plight of disaster victims.”

The Central Regional Platform's job, according to Dasebere Kwebu Ewusi VII, is to “reduce excessive pressure on the government in providing First Aid to accident victims.”

And while some motor accidents aren't always simply avoided (for example, an animal could run in front of a car at night), many are. For this reason, the Central Regional Platform not only assists victims following an accident they also understand that taking measures to prevent motor accidents in the first place is what will save most lives.

According to Anokye Yeboah, Central Regional Coordinator of the Road Safety Commission, each year about 1,800 people lose their lives as a result of motor accidents in Ghana, and approximately 10,000 – 15,000 people are seriously injured. Given these statistics, it will be essential for the government to focus on improving road safety in order to save lives and keep the country moving forward.

“The Platform will be proactive by supporting Disaster Risk Reduction activities, such as public education on TV and radio,” Dasebere Kwebu Ewusi VII said. “We shall sponsor workshops for Road Safety Officers to acquire knowledge to intensify public education.”