Fatal road accidents increase in Upper West

The number of people who died through road accidents in the Upper West Region has increased from 37 in 2010 to 40 between January and August 2011.

The number of accident cases also shot up from 75 in 2010 to 125 within the same period this year.

Number of injuries also increased from 129 to 224 respectively, Assistant Superintendent of Police Joseph Oppong, the Upper West Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), told the GNA in Wa.

He said from January to August 2011 the Regional MTTU office in Wa recorded the highest number of 83 accident cases followed by Jirapa with 15 cases.

Sissala East District had nine cases, Lawra and Nadowli recorded six cases each with the Sissala West and Wa East Districts recording four and two cases respectively.

ASP Oppong said from January up to date 87 traffic offenders had been arrested out of which 58 had been prosecuted and GH¢8,588.00 was realised as court fines.

He said the Police, in collaboration with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority Urban Roads and the National Road Safety Commission have been holding regular meetings with the transport Unions and educating them on road safety and defensive driving as a measure to reducing road carnage in the region.

The MTTU Commander said Police personnel had been assigned to escort vehicles on the highways connecting the region to other parts of the country in order to curb armed robbery.

Source: GNA