Apam (C/R), Feb. 3 GNA- The Central Regional Secretariat of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) has embarked on a long term programme, including road safety education and training of drivers to reduce road transport accidents in the region. Ms. Catherine Hamilton, Central Regional Co-ordinator of the National Road Safety Commission said this at a meeting with the Gomoa branch of the NRSC at Apam.

She said the ultimate goal of the NRSC was to make Ghana's road transport system "the safest in Africa". Ms. Hamilton therefore, advised drivers to be more cautious and observant so as to ensure the safety of pedestrians and hawkers by driving carefully at a low speed up to 50 KPH in towns. The Regional Co-ordinator said excessive speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, over loading, wrong overtaking and careless driving and others were the major causes of road accidents in the region.

The new Gomoa District Police Commander, ASP. Philip Armah Gamiah, appealed to hawkers along the Kasoa-Winneba-Cape Coast-Komenda to stop chasing vehicles with their items to avoid being knocked down by vehicles. He also warned drivers to be extra careful when crossing smoke of bushfires since it could obstruct them from seeing on-coming vehicles. Mr. Elliot Nortey, secretary of the Ankamu branch of the GPRTU said that the three months training for drivers at the various driving training schools was not enough. He suggested that after their training they should be attached to the various driving unions for in-service training on long journey driving to enable them to gain experience before acquiring their certificates.