Kumasi, Nov 12, GNA - Mr. Sumaila Boachie, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Drivers Welfare Union, has called on drivers to see the police as partners working together in checking accidents and crime on the country's roads and not as enemies.

He said drivers have acknowledged the good work of most police personnel at the Ashanti Motor Traffic and Transport Union (MTTU) and mentioned particularly, Chief Superintendent Gyening, the head of the unit, for their intensive education campaigns, which have helped to reduce fatal road accidents in the region drastically. Mr. Boachie, who is the chairman of the Kumasi-Takoradi-Elubo branch of the GPRTU, made the call in a press statement issued in Kumasi on Saturday.

He, however, pleaded with the police to be lenient with long distance drivers who commit minor offences as the present situation where they are often detained for hours affects most passengers and perishable goods in transit. Mr Boachie called for respect for driving as a profession and therefore asked the public not to condemn all drivers when one driver commits an offence. "Drivers play a vital role in the economy of the nation", he added.

Mr Boachie reminded drivers about the need to maintain their vehicles properly with the approach of Christmas, avoid overloading and unnecessary overtaking to enable the country enjoyed accident-free yuletide celebration. He appealed to passengers to report recalcitrant drivers who drive carelessly on the roads to the various transport unions for appropriate sanctions to be taken against them.