Takoradi, June 30,-GNA-Mr Magnus Lincoln Quarshie, a road safety specialist, on Saturday, launched the first Western Regional Road Safety Week initiated by the Regional Road Safety Committee to reduce accident rate in the region at Takoradi.

In a short address, he asked drivers and cyclists to respect road signs and regulations to prevent accidents.

Mr Quarshie, Managing Director of Centre For Cycling Expertise (CCE), who was speaking on the theme for the celebration, "Safety For Cyclists, Safety For Pedestrians", said many accidents involving cyclists could be traced to lack of respect for road signs and regulations. He said 45 per cent of accidents in the country involve pedestrians and 10 per cent of the accidents involve cyclists. Mr Quarshie said it is important to highlight the safety for pedestrians and cyclists because the pedestrian knick-down rate in the region is among the highest in the country. He said this invariably affects cycling which is both a means of transport and a physical exercise because cyclists share roads with other users.

Mr Thomas Bismark Boakye, Regional Coordinator of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), advised cyclists to wear reflectors at night especially when they put on dark cloths to avoid been knocked-down by vehicles.

He also urged cyclists to keep to their lane and to desist from competing with vehicles on the road.