Regional News of Friday, 24 December 2004

Source: GNA

Don't demand high sales for drivers - Transport owners told

Ashaiman, Dec. 24, GNA - The Commander of the Tema Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Prosper Ayisi on Thursday advised transport owners not to set high sales for their drivers during festivities because it contributes to motor accidents.

He noted that drivers get carried away by the directives of their car owners and tend to over speed, leading to accidents. DSP Ayisi was speaking at the launch of road safety out-reach campaign organised by Tema Regional Road Safety Committee in conjunction with the Regional MTTU for drivers and the general public at Ashaiman. He mentioned overloading, drink driving, over speeding, wrongful over taking, non maintenance of vehicles and road user behaviour as notable causes of many preventable accidents.

While urging motorists including cyclists and truck pushers to observe traffic regulations to avoid accidents, he also called on passengers to muster courage to report the conduct of drivers to the police.

The MTTU Commander explained that Ashaiman was chosen for the educational programme because records indicated that drivers from the area were the worst motor offenders.

"They form the nucleus of spare drivers who take unnecessary risks on the road as a result of their indiscipline behaviour on the road". DSP Ayisi impressed upon the leadership of the various transport unions to demand high standard of discipline from their members. He also called for regular educational programmes to sensitise drivers and other road users.