Recent records of accidents on our roads are indeed sour grapes. Within just a week more than 390 people have lost their lives and about 300 either maimed or injured through road accidents. When the present regime set out to carry out mass road infrastructural development, little did it think it would turn out to be our nemesis. Some drivers have taken advantage of the good road network to over speed. Others drive under the influence of alcohol whilst some sit behind the steering wheels very tired. Some articulated truck drivers also park recklessly without any warning signals. Some of these haulage trucks especially those which travel long distances are poorly maintained thereby breaking down frequently.
A number of them are so rickety that one does not need a third eye to see that they do not qualify to be on the roads. Most of these ignore basic traffic regulation and believe in intimidating smaller vehicles. Recent downpour in parts of the country has destroyed some roads creating craters in them if not man holes in attempts to dodge these holes; some drivers veer off their lanes and crash with on-coming vehicles. These call for pragmatic solution and some legislation especially to regulate the movement of these articulated trucks. Sometime back, these trucks were prohibited from plying the roads after 6 pm but this has largely been relaxed. As we ginger up for national elections, it is important that political parties educate their followers on the need to observe traffic regulations. The recent accident involving NDC supporters as they welcomed the party’s running mate to Tamale leading to the death of one person and the amputation of the elgs of two others are too painful to recount here.
It is generally perceived that election periods are times when countless lives are lost to unnecessary road accidents. We need to break the jinx this time around by being extra cautious on the roads as we cress-cross the country for our rallies. Drivers must desist from drunkenness. They must stop for a nap when they feel tired or have enough rest before they sit behind the steering wheel. The accident involving the Tipper truck and the STC bus at Dompoase near Komenda where eye witnesses alleged that the tipper truck deriver was apparently sleeping in a case in point The cordial caution must be defensive driving and nothing else.
Let us see the on-coming vehicle as the greatest foul and ourselves as the wisest. Through this, we would be able to avoid head-on collision. The MTTU must be proactive in checking defaulting drivers. Legislation to impose on-the-spot fines on wayward drivers must be speeded up. The National Road Safety Commission must be well resourced to carry out their task of educating the public on the socio-economic impact of road accidents. They must liaise with the Information Services Department to show films at lorry stations on some dastardly accidents that have taken place.
Our roads have one way or the other turned a blind eye to little, little things which crystallize and lead to accidents. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority owes it a responsibility to ensure that only those who deserve driving licenses are given access to it. The many driving schools that are mushrooming throughout the country are not helping matters either. Indeed road accidents cannot be eliminated altogether but could be minimized through effective driver education, and judicious application of the law. A stitch in time, our elders say, saves nine.
