Regional News of Friday, 16 October 2015

Source: Today Newspaper

‘Killer’ drivers take over Awoshie road

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Reports say scores of drivers (of both commercial and private vehicles) who ply the Baah-Yard to Ablekuma dual carriageway in the Greater Accra region regularly flout traffic regulations.

The practice, which is done with impunity, has left in its wake several accidents with some leading to deaths of innocent pedestrians and school children.

The worst offenders, the paper was reliably informed, were the trotro who regularly drive on the asphalt road to areas including Abaasi, Ablekuma, Manhean, Oduman, Joma and its adjoining communities.

According to residents along the Baa-Yard-Awoshie-Ablekuma road, the situation is so precarious that even the elderly fear crossing the road anytime.

The worst-hit victims by these reckless drivers, Today was told, included pupils and students who try to avoid the huge vehicular traffic during the morning rush hour to get to school early.

Speaking to Today, a resident of Awoshie, Mr. James Acquah, indicated that both the trotro and the private car drivers often drive through when the red traffic light is on.

That situation, he went on to explain, was even far worse at Zebra Crossing points on the road.

“…both trotro and private car drivers drive at top speed through Zebra Crossing points,” Mr. Acquah noted.

Another resident of NIC, a community on the Awoshie-Ablekuma road, Yaw Addo, told
the paper that he nearly lost his cousin on the road, following the recklessness of a trotro driver.

The residents also complained about the speed at which some of the drivers travelled why plying on the road.

According to them, the way they drive at top speed on the road sometimes scares them.

“Some of the drivers drive as if they are traveling from Accra to Takoradi or Tamale,” Yaa Obemewaa, a resident of Awoshie, said.

Consequently, the residents called on the Ghana Police Service to treat the matter with a sense of urgency before more lives were lost.

They further warned that should the police fail to act they will take all necessary and practical steps to protect their lives and properties.