Journalists and NRSC officials escape death on the road

JournalistsJournalists accompanying personnel of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) for an official assignment on Wednesday narrowly escaped death when an articulated truck nearly crashed them.

A bus carrying the journalists was parked at the Ofankor barrier near Pokuase where officials of the NRSC were inspecting an unapproved route drivers’ ply to join the main road, when the truck travelling from Pokuase to Achimota veered off the road to where the journalists and the NRSC officials were standing.

The driver of the truck was signalled by the Police men accompanying the inspection team to slow down but could not do so, due to the speed at which he was travelling.

The driver of the truck in an attempt to avoid hitting a car in front of him veered off the road towards the journalists and the NRSC officials who ran for their dear lives.

The incident not withstanding did not deter the officials from conducting the inspection of the Pokuase to Achimota road.

The team observed that pedestrian struggle to cross the road, whilst scores of drivers use unapproved road as U-turn point at Ofankor Barrier.

At the St John’s bus stop the team noted that traders and hawkers have taken over the pedestrian walk-ways for their business activities.

The team also inspected the Abofu footbridge on the N1 highway where there is a defect with the facility caused by an overloaded truck.

Mrs May Obiri-Yeboah, NRSC Executive Director addressing the media after the tour expressed concern about the indiscipline at the various check points.

She said the situation is worrying, since it could lead to massive carnage on the road hence the need to address it as soon as possible.

She said people are losing their lives through road accidents annually and therefore there is the need to reduce the phenomenon with the collective efforts of stakeholders.

She advised pedestrians to be more careful when using the roads and make sure they cross at designated crossing points especially at Pokuase with the help of the police to avoid any unfortunate happenings.

Mrs Obiri-Yeboah appealed to the municipal assembly to help remove the traders from the St John’s bus stop to the Dome market, saying “this place is meant for alighting passengers and not a market place”.

She also tasked the Highway Authority to ensure that pillars are erected at Ofankor Barrier to do away with the improper U-turn turning by drivers.

Mr Edwik Tei, Municipal Roads Engineer Pokuase said the assembly would put in place drastic and permanent measures to ensure that the traders are evicted from the road side.

He said though revenue collectors collect monies from the traders, which give them the mandate to operate it is not right, therefore the assembly would make sure the revenue collectors who unlawfully take monies from the traders are also dealt with to curb the situation.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Patrick Adusei Sarpong, Director General Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate, noted that drivers have been educated and therefore they must know what needs to be done on roads to prevent any casualties.

He also so suggested that speed ramps should be constructed to check over speeding.

ACP Sarpong said should footbridges be constructed to enable pedestrians cross without hindrance.

Mrs Pat Onny, Safety Engineer, Department of Urban Roads emphasised the need for drivers to be educated on bus stop regulations and pedestrians usage of roads as well as be thought to know where to cross roads to reduce accidents.

Source: GNA

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