Regional News of Wednesday, 5 May 2004

Source: GNA

DCE calls for regular in-service training courses for drivers

Apam (C/R), May 5, GNA - The Gomoa District Chief Executive, Miss Joyce Aidoo, has appealed to the National Road Safety Committee, the Police and the various drivers unions to organise regular in-service training for drivers, particularly on road signs and safety. Miss Aidoo said deaths resulting from preventable motor accidents should be a major source of worries to all, hence the need to send drivers back to school.

She said four fatal accidents, which claimed many lives had occurred within one month on the Cape Coast-Accra road.

Miss Aidoo said this when she led two paramount chiefs - Obrifo Ehunako Ahor Ankobea II of Gomoa Akyempim and Okatakyi Nyanfo Krampah X of Gomoa Ajumako - accompanied by Nana Pentsiwa Panyin II, queen mother of Gomoa Adaa and officials of the district Assembly to Apam Catholic Hospital to visit victims of last Saturday's accident involving three buses near Gomoa Assin.

Six people died in the accident with more than 50 wounded. Miss Aidoo said the casualty rate was unacceptable and advocated for a stiffer punishment for drivers who cause accidents through careless driving.

Obrifo Ehunako Ahor Ankobea advised drivers to be cautious on the road.

He commended the staff of the hospital for promptly attending to the victims to prevent further casualty.

Okatakyi Nyanfo Krampah advised transport owners to be reasonable in fixing daily sales so as not to force drivers into speeding in their desire to make more money.

They gave the victims food items, including bread, milk, milo, sugar and sachets water.