Cape Coast (Central Region) -- Mr Patrick Ampewuah, acting Regional Police Commander, on Monday said though road accidents in the region have reduced last year, the number of deaths resulting from them have so far increased.

He said 146 people died between January and September this year as against 102 within the same period last year.

Mr Ampewuah, who is also the Chairman of the Central Region Road Safety Committee, was speaking at a day's seminar for about 300 commercial vehicle drivers from the region at Cape Coast.

Participants were taught how to use fire extinguishers, provide first aid to accident victims and to read and understand road signs.

He called on the authorities to intensify the campaign against road accidents, especially in the rural areas where more than 50 per cent of accidents occurred.

Mr Ampewuah also suggested that spot fines should be re-introduced to serve as a deterrent to recalcitrant drivers.

In an address read for him, Mr Isaac Edumadze, the Regional Minister, expressed concern that 27 per cent of all road accidents in the county involved children of school going age.

He called on Ghanaians to assist the law enforcement agencies to curb the incidence and appealed to drivers to be more cautious on the road, especially during the Christmas period.