The myth that COVID-19 is a dangerous killer seems not to be so in Ghana as a total of 909 persons have lost their lives to road accidents from January-May, 2020, according to the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA).
Out of the figure, 47 of the deaths were recorded in a week after the partial lockdown in Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi metropolis, as well as Tema and Kasoa.
Director of Planning and Programmes at the NRSA, David Osafo Adonteng who disclosed this to the media emphasized road traffic fatalities still lead to the death of many people despite the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic considering the available statistics.
Comparing the death rate on our roads to that of the COVID-19 outbreak which is currently at 48 deaths, Mr. Adonteng stressed the need to be more cautious on our roads despite a 14% reduction to that of 2019.
“The country in January experienced worrisome incidents as a result some major accidents that occurred on the Kintampo-Tamale road, Dompoase and others in the Central region so we decided to fasten our education but unfortunately the COVID-19 outbreak also came into existence. But we did not relent on our oars as we have been meeting the various transport unions to find out ways of dealing with the carnage on our roads in the midst of the pandemic” he added.
Mr. Osafo Adonteng, however, blamed drivers of being in a rush to make amends after the partial lockdown thereby engaging in over speeding, wrong overtaking, and many others which are all agents to road accidents.
He, therefore, advised car and transport owners to ensure their vehicles have well-built tyres under them and also ensure other materials such as wipers and side mirrors are in good condition at all times, especially in the wake of the rainy season.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
