President Akufo-Addo says the Inter-Ministerial Committee set up by the government to investigate the increasing spate of road crashes in the country has identified driver indiscipline as the major cause of the crashes.
Nana Akufo-Addo says the lack of logistics on the part of regulators to implement road traffic regulations was also identified as a challenge in addressing the problem of road crashes.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the Kofi Annan Road Safety Awards in Accra, the President said more work must be done to end the carnage on our roads.
He insisted that without tackling, particularly the issue of driver indiscipline, the fatalities will continue to increase.
“Indiscipline and disrespect for road regulations particularly in relation to travel speeds, driving under the influence of alcohol, wearing of seat belts and overtaking without due care for other vehicles need to be addressed to bring down traffic injuries and fatalities,” he said.
Over the past five days, more than four fatal accidents have occurred in different parts of the country leading to the loss of nearly a dozen lives.
The development has spark a national discussion about the rising spate of fatal crashes especially on the country’s highways.
When it comes to road accidents, Africa pays the heaviest price with the world’s highest fatality rate of 26.6 road deaths per 100,000 population compared to the world average of 17.5 per 100,000 and 9.3 per 100,000 in Europe (WHO).
The primary objective of the Kofi Annan Road Safety Award is to motivate key stakeholders – governments, private sector, and civil society organisations – to develop and implement innovative and outstanding initiatives to save lives on Africa’s roads.