THE need for motorists within the Kumasi metropolis and its environs to be circumspect to reduce carnage on the road was the focus of attention when a number of physically challenged persons made contributions during a stakeholders meeting intended to formulate a strategy to curb road traffic accidents within the metropolis.
Expressing concern about the manner in which the physically challenged were falling victim to road accidents involving pedestrians, they pointed out that it was time society joined hands to create awareness on the need for motorists to behave responsibly on the road.
The meeting, organised by members of the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Authority (DVLA), the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) and transport owners, was intended to deliberate on how to safeguard the lives of passengers and pedestrians against accidents.
As part of the measures to address carnage on the road in the metropolis, a joint task force has been formed on major roads in the Kumasi metropolis to enforce road traffic regulations for 24 hours .
The task force, which has already started work, will arrest and prosecute drivers who use rickety vehicles, especially those with defects.
At the meeting the President of the National Women’s Wing of the Ghana Society for the Physically Challenged, Ms Doris Ofori, expressed concern about their predicament, explaining that apart from the fact that some of their members, especially the blind, deaf and dumb had been suffering regular knockdowns by motorists, those who use wheel chairs , crutches and walkers were always discriminated against when boarding vehicles in Kumasi.
“Some of our members are unable to cross the road as fast as they could and instead of motorists sympathising with us by slowing down, they always threaten us and sometimes knock some of our people down” she said.
She said apart from the regular knockdowns, trotro and taxi drivers in Kumasi had always discriminated against them when picking passengers along the street.
“As soon as they recognise that you either use a wheel chair or crutches, they begin to frown at you and charge exorbitant fares as a way of discouraging you from joining their vehicle” she complained.
She said in most cases, trotro drivers and their mates insulted them when they asked for a reduction in the fare and pointed out that it was time vehicle owners and executives of the transport unions prevailed on their drivers to show sympathy to the physically challenged.
She said “with the spate of accidents on the road on daily basis, we are all prone to becoming physically challenged, so it is time society appreciated our predicament and supported us adequately.”
Referring to the number of accidents that occurred in the metropolis and its environs between January and September this year, Ms Ofori said statistics by the MTTU indicated that 218 passengers and pedestrians were killed during the period.
Ms Ofori also appealed to the police to clamp down on motorists who had been flouting road traffic regulations by not only arresting them but also prosecuting them to serve as a deterrent, adding that “We are certain that when these recalcitrant drivers are prosecuted and convicted. the message will spread very quickly.”
Other speakers were the DVLA Manager in Kumasi, Mr Noah Tettey Martey, the Regional Manager of the National Road Safety Commission, Mr Kwaku Oware Boateng, the Regional Police MTTU Commander, Mr Godact Hlordzi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Physically Challenged, Mr Francis Amadu.
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