Regional News of Saturday, 17 December 2005

Source: GNA

District launches road safety capaign

Aflao, Dec. 17, GNA - Mr. Godson Wemegah, Ketu District Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has said the widely used steering knob was not "driver friendly in accident prevention." He was speaking at the launch of the Ketu District Road Safety Campaign at Aflao on Saturday. Mr. Wemegah said a driver with a knob on the steer was more likely to loose control of his vehicle in emergencies than the driver without it.

The campaign, which is under the theme: "Towards an Accident Free X'mas and Beyond" was to re-awaken drivers, the travelling public and other stakeholders on the need to be cautious when on the roads. "Keep your vehicles in order by having the approved lighting, break and steering systems, remove parts like wobbling and worn out tires and practice a holy adherence to road regulation and avoid over speeding," Mr Wemegah cautioned drivers. He said it was dangerous for drivers to be over confident as

anything could happen on the roads that could take them by surprise. Mr. Samuel Sackitey, Aflao District Police Commander cautioned drivers against alcohol, wrongful overtaking and warned that the Police would be on the road to arrest offenders. Mr. Richard Salifu, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) at the District Command asked drivers to stop being hostile to Police detailed for duty on the roads but rather cooperate with them and report those who extort money from them.

There was a lot of laughter when a local GPRTU member pointed to a cracked driving mirror of a police vehicle and demanded that it be changed before it moved from venue of the launch. A visiting District Police Commander who brought the vehicle then replied " I got to know of the breakage only today, that is after my driver returned from Accra with the vehicle, I promise to change the mirror".