From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi.
As many as 1,344 people died in the Ashanti Region through road traffic accidents between 2005 and 2009.
While 353 people died in the region through road traffic accidents in 2005, the number increased to 408 the following year, but reduced to 197 in 2007.
In 2008 death through road traffic accidents in the region increased to 268, but dropped to 218 last year.
The Ashanti Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) Police Commander , Assistant Superintendent of Police Abraham Bansah, who briefed The Mirror on road traffic accidents in the region, said during the period under review, as many as 8,873 people suffered various degrees of injuries through road traffic accidents .
Explaining, he said, while 2593 people were injured in 2005, making it impossible for them to make any meaningful contributions towards sustainable socio-economic development, 1891 people suffered various degrees of injuries through road traffic accidents in 2006.
He said in 2007, as many as 1,190 people were injured through road traffic accidents in the region, and 1,525 people also suffered various degrees of injuries through road traffic accidents in 2008.
He said last year, as many as 1674 people who were contributing substantially towards sustainable socio-economic development were injured through road traffic accidents in the region.
On the number of vehicles that were destroyed through road traffic accidents in the region between 2005 and 2009, Mr Bansah said the total figure was 12,614.
Explaining, he said 3,483 were destroyed through road traffic accidents in 2005, but the figure reduced to 2857 the following year.
He said the figure further reduced to 1,514 in 2007, but increased to 2427 in 2008 while last year, 2,333 vehicles were destroyed in the region through road traffic accidents.
Expressing concern about the spate of accidents in the region and their effects on the socio-economic situation, Mr Bansah said it was time drivers observed road traffic regulations to reduce the carnage on the road.
He said notwithstanding the numerous educational campaigns on road safety, some recalcitrant drivers continue to flout road traffic regulations, creating a state of panic for road users who are law abiding.
“ We will not relent on our effort to arrest and prosecute recalcitrant drivers to create sanity on the road to make travelling more comfortable and enjoyable” he assured, adding “ road users should collaborate with us by reporting all drivers who flout road traffic regulations to the nearest police station for them to be arrested and prosecuted.”
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