Drivers should have enough sleep before starting journeys – Chief

The Baamuhen of Gomoa Akyempim, Okofo Meresi Okai Annan, has called on drivers to ensure that they have enough sleep before embarking on journeys.

Okofo Meresi Okai Annan, who is the Chief Priest of the “Etsia Mframa” shrine, identified one of the causes of road accidents to sleeping whilst driving.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at his residence at Mataheko in Accra, the chief appealed to the drivers’ unions to ensure that drivers who travel long distances had enough sleep before their vehicles were loaded.

He urged the unions to ensure that their drivers moved in a convoy to prevent highway robbers from attacking them and their passengers.

Okofo Meresi Okai Annan appealed to vehicle owners to be reasonable in fixing daily sales for their drivers to prevent them from over-speeding and misuse of the vehicles.

“Fixing a daily sale of about 200 Ghana cedis for a Benz Sprinter bus is too much for a driver to make, considering fuel and other expenses he has to make,” the Chief said.

He advised spare parts dealers to ensure that they sell genuine parts including tyres to their customers, and appealed to vehicle owners to set aside one day in a week for the maintenance of their vehicles.

Okofo Meresi Okai Annan advised drivers to drive carefully when there is fog, adding that the way road accidents were claiming lives must be a concern for all Ghanaians if they should be able to take preventive measures to save lives.