Editorial by Ghanaian Times: Transport operators’ attempt to check drivers commendable

We commend trans­port operators or associations in Accra which have so far cautioned their drivers against indisci­pline, including reckless driving, especially during the Christmas and New Year festivities, or face sanctions, including suspension and dismissal.

We appeal to others in Accra and elsewhere who have not done so to take a cue from their fellows who have done it.

Over the years the number of road crashes, deaths, and injuries have been higher during festivities, particularly Christmas.

It is sad to observe that despite the road safety education given to drivers in the coun­try on a regular basis, a number of them remain recalcitrant.

Therefore, reminders to driv­ers to be disciplined and more cautious during festivities are helpful but the question is, “Why do some drivers gloss over road safety measures?”

We can conjecture that some are naturally recalcitrant, while others do so because the laws regulating driving on the road are not deterrent enough or their associations are not tough enough.

It is also an open secret that the police, who should arrest and prosecute them, take bribes from them and leave them to go away free.

It is always said that road safety is a shared responsibility and it seems this has now dawned on O.A Travel Tour, Neoplan Branch No. 4, and the 2M Express transport operators at Circle in Accra more than ever before to be tougher on their drivers this time and beyond.

We are particularly happy with their measures to check the use of hard drugs by the drivers and their recklessness on the road, including speeding and wrongful over-taking; ensure the good health of drivers, and top it all up with punishment for recalci­trant drivers.

We are happy to hear that such recalcitrant drivers would either be suspended or dismissed by the operators (See our story on page 11).

Much as we support the measures being taken by the op­erators, we think mere suspen­sion or dismissal is not enough because such reckless drivers can migrate to other places to resume driving.

We believe that such drivers must be blacklisted so that they cannot drive anywhere in the country, even if temporarily or permanently as the case may be.

It should even be possible to ensure their prosecution if their behaviour is found in a way to be criminal.

Even though the statistics since 2021 seem to suggest some decrease in road crashes, fatali­ties, and injuries, the figures are still too high to be tolerated.

For instance, 1,433 people died from road accidents across the country from January to August, this year, according to the National Road Safety Au­thority (NSRA).

The figure represents an 11.27 percent decrease in the 1,615 deaths recorded within the same period, last year.

Additionally, 10,367 persons suffered injuries, showing a 0.47 percent decrease in the 10,416 injuries recorded within the same period in 2022.

It is on record that in Ghana, 72 persons out of every 100, 000 population suffered from grievous bodily injury, and about eight of the same figure died from road traffic accidents over the past decade.

Even one death from drivers’ recklessness is too many because of its implications for families and the country at large.

Therefore any move to check drivers’ recklessness at any time is laudable and must be supported by all.