Tema, April 24, GNA - The Tema Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) has, from January to March, recorded 366 accident cases involving 492 vehicles with 35 deaths. Two hundred and sixty-six people were injured in the accidents with most of them between the ages five and 25, Deputy Superintendent of Police Prosper Amoah Ayisi told the Ghana News Agency in an interview at Tema on Tuesday to mark the first United Nations Global Road Safety Week.

Within the same period, 193 traffic cases were recorded with offences such as wrongful parking, use of under weight driving license, use of expired insurance papers and license as well as driving on pavements among others.

He said the culprit drivers were put before the courts and fines totalling 260,310,000 cedis were imposed on them. Mr Ayisi expressed regret that the absence of a motor court in the Tema Police Region delayed the trial of traffic offences and expressed the hope that a court would be established to facilitate the process. He said he was not happy that despite the intensification of Road Safety awareness campaigns and the enforcement of the law, drivers continue to remain adamant and called for stiffer punishment for offenders to serve as deterrents to others. He advised against the use of mobile phones while driving as that contributed to accidents because attention of the drivers get disrupted and also stressed on the use of seat belts, adding that private car drivers are the worst offenders.

Mr Ayisi said Road Safety was a collective effort of all and appealed to drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and all road users to strictly observe road traffic regulations. He said a programme outlined to mark the week include film shows on accidents, talk to promote the use of seat belts and crash helmets and visits to the hospitals to interact with accidents victims for them to tell their experiences.