Begoro, Dec. 24, GNA - Drivers have been advised to observe traffic regulations to avoid accidentse before, during and after the Christmas festivities.

The Eastern Regional Co-ordinator of the National Road Safety Committee, Mr Isaac Nkrumah, gave the advice at a forum to educate drivers at Begoro on road safety measures during the Christmas holidays. Mr Nkrumah said the continuous education of drivers on road safety measures was to prevent rampant and avoidable road accidents. He said 90 per cent of road accidents were the fault of drivers' carelessness, while 10 per cent were due to mechanical fault, saying almost all road accidents could be prevented if drivers observe motor traffic regulations.

The co-ordinator expressed concern at the huge sums of money the government spends on accident victims in addition to loss of lives and property due to the fault of drivers.

Mr Nkrumah reminded the drivers that those of them who commit traffic offence under Act 632 of the National Road Safety regulations, would be fined 40 million cedis or in default serve three years imprisonment.

He urged long distance drivers to stop after every four hours and rest for 30 minutes before continuing the journey to combat fatigue. The Begoro branch Chairman of the GPRTU of TUC, Mr Alex Kwabena Amoana asked drivers not to drink and drive. He urged passengers to report drivers who commit traffic offences to the appropriate quarters for prosecution.