Regional News of Thursday, 11 June 2009

Source: GNA

Reportage of accidents worrying- MTTU Commander

Koforidua, June 11, GNA - Police Superintendent Sarfo Peprah, Eastern Regional MTTU Commander, has expressed worry over the manner in which some radio stations report accident cases. He has, therefore, called on journalists and radio presenters to ensure that reports on accident cases were cross-checked from the Police before announcing it on air.

He said most radio stations, acting as first informants, report accident cases without getting the facts from the Police, thereby giving wrong information and inflating the number of causalities. In an interview with the GNA, he said such reports tend to give the Police a hard time in their investigations and also alarm the public. He cited instances where the Police had to delay in mobilizing personnel to take care of those reported dead only to get there to find out that no casualties had been reported.

Superintendent Peprah said the carnage on the roads was a concern to all, therefore, it did not help in any way to misinform the public. He said the radio stations often tried to notify the Police by announcement but urged them to rather call the nearest police station for help. On the reduction of accidents on the road, he said many interventions, including the use of speed and alcohol censors, had been embarked on the roads to ensure that drivers complied with road traffic regulations to save lives and property. He warned that no driver who violates road traffic regulations would be spared.