Kumasi, March. 31, GNA - Police Chief Superintendent Augustine Gyenin, Ashanti Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service has attributed the spate of accidents in the region in recent times to negligence and the refusal of drivers to observe basic traffic signs and regulations. He said in spite of the sustained road safety education campaign programmes, most drivers had refused to take precaution and drove carelessly on the highways resulting in fatal accidents in the region in recent times.

Chief Superintendent Gyenin stated this at the Ashanti Regional launch of the Donewell's road safety campaign and best driver awards scheme in Kumasi, on Tuesday. The scheme which is an initiative of the Donewell Insurance Company, aimed at promoting safety on the roads, improve driver-passenger relations improve courtesy between drivers themselves and other road users would also enable the public to show appreciation to deserving drivers.

In all two best drivers will receive national awards of a 15-seater Toyota bus and KIA bus for the first and second positions respectively. Ten regional best drivers from all the ten regions will receive a double door fridge each. Chief Superintendent Gyenin, said the first quarter of the year had experienced an unprecedented high rate of accidents in the region, which had resulted in many fatalities and appealed to drivers to exercise a lot of caution on the road to save lives.

Mr Victor Larbi, Managing Director of Donewell Insurance Company, said the launching of the scheme was part of the company's social responsibility to reward drivers who were the larger group of the company's clients. He said the scheme was to reward safety conscious and courteous drivers and urged all drivers to observe basic traffic regulations to prevent accidents.