Mr Emmanuel Narh, Trainer for Technician Engineers of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), has advised motorists to observe critically the weather, mechanical and road conditions to prevent road crashes to save lives and property.

He gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, in Sunyani ahead of the Christmas festive season.

Mr Narh said: “As humans, we absolutely do not have control over natural occurrences like weather patterns, however the total disregard of its patterns could cause acute road crashes which could result to fatalities.”

He therefore encouraged drivers, operators and riders to constantly observe the changing trends of weather “to ply through foggy, rainy or sunny forms of weather”.

Mr Narh said “specific parts of the vehicle that gives clearer visibility like lights, wipers, transparent screens and score of others must be available and in good shape to prevent any form of road crash during unfavourable weather patterns”.

He expressed concern that poor road conditions have been “one dominating cause among all the causes of road crashes/accidents” in Ghana.

Mr Narh noted that “although we still have some renowned deplorable roads, comparatively to previous years, Ghana has made strides in the construction of new roads and the renovation of deplorable ones, which is a huge advantage to road users”.

He said drivers must know where they must either slow down or could overtake as part of the defensive driving techniques.

Mr Narh also touched on the issue of vehicle maintenance, adding that the least malfunction of any of the parts of a vehicle/motor bike, “while on the road can cause acute fatalities”.

He advised drivers particularly on the need to visit the DVLA offices for periodic examination of their vehicles to alert them on any faults and ensure road worthiness.