Takoradi, June 15, GNA - Mr Victor Adusah Poku, Western Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), has suggested that the law on obstruction of traffic should be amended to cover human beings and animals.

He was speaking at an educational programme on road crossing for school children organised by the Regional National Road Safety Commission at Takoradi on Thursday.

Shell Ghana Limited sponsored the programme.

Mr Poku said amendment of the law would enable the law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute hawkers, particularly children who sell on the road and pedestrians who jump the red traffic light, as well as herdsmen who cause traffic jam and accidents with their livestock. He said currently, only drivers of vehicles that obstruct traffic could be prosecuted under the law.

Mr Poku said the Road Safety Regulation was not being fully implemented because there was no legislative instrument covering it. He advised children to observe road signs and regulations carefully when crossing or walking along the road to ensure that they are not exposed to danger.

Mr Alex Amoako, Regional Manager of Shell Ghana Limited, said statistics indicated that there were 108 road accidents in the first quarter of the year in the region.

He said 162 vehicles were involved in the accidents that caused 13 deaths, 22 serious injuries and 15 pedestrian knockdowns including five school children.

Mrs Mary Obiri Yeboah of the National Road Safety Commission said 42 per cent of road accidents in Ghana involved pedestrian knockdowns and that 15 per cent of the victims were children.