Kumasi, Jan. 8, GNA - Drivers killed 198 persons and injured 1,227 others on Ashanti Region roads through motor accidents in 2007, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Seth Charles Oteng, Acting Regional Police Commander, announced in Kumasi on Tuesday.

He said 408 people were killed and 1,891 others got injured in 2006.

ACP Oteng, who was briefing the Media, said there was 39 per cent decrease in recorded cases of accidents in the Region in 2007 compared to 2006 - going down from 2,028 in 2006 to 1,234 in 2007. The Acting Commander said while 2,857 vehicles were involved in accidents in 2006 that of 2007 were 1,546 vehicles, representing a reduction of 46 per cent.

He said 183 fatal accidents and 682 minor ones were recorded in 2007 compared to 288 fatal and 1,174 minor accidents in 2006. He commended the Command for teaming up with the Road Safety Commission to work to reduce the number of accidents.

ACP Oteng said the Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Union (MTTU) Command of the Ghana Police Service realized a total of GH=A2 130,000 from fines imposed on recalcitrant drivers by the law court in 2007. Some of the traffic regulations flouted by the drivers included parking at unauthorized places; driving recklessly; driving without licence; causing harm and resisting arrest. The various fines ranged from GH=A2 100 to GH=A2 500.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) James Sarfo Preprah, Regional MTTU Commander, charged drivers to co-operate with the Police to prevent them from being arrested and also to ensure safety for the citizens and especially football fans from other parts of Africa before, during and after the Ghana 2008 Soccer Tournament.