Winneba (C/R), Feb. 5, GNA – A total of 47 people were killed through road accidents in Winneba Police District in 2011 against 27 in 2010.

The Winneba District Commander Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr. John Paul Akonde told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Winneba in an interview last Friday.

He traced the sharp increase to the December 27th 2011 accident, which occurred at Senya Bereku when a water tanker run into Christmas celebrants, killing 27 and injuring 34.

The Commander said during the year under review, 82 accidents cases were recorded as against 111 in 2010 involving 113 vehicles in 2011 and 147 in 2010.

A total of 158 people were also injured in 2011 against 254 in 2010.

The number of pedestrians knocked down reduced from 19 in 2010 to 11 in 2011.

ASP John Paul attributed the causes of the accident to fatigue driving, drunk driving, over speeding, wrongful overtaking, inconsiderable driving and unqualified drivers.

He said most of the drivers also abandoned their vehicles at the shoulders of the highways and unauthorised places as well as leaving disable vehicles in the middle of the road thus preventing easy view of on-coming vehicles.

The Commander appealed to drivers to be upright in their vocation and consider that their lives worth much for their families and the society, adding they should eschewed the desire to get rich quick.

He urged the public, especially drivers, who park their vehicles on the shoulders of the road to always ensure that they follow motor transport regulations.