Only an improved public transport system will collapse Okada

The Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the National Road Safety Commission, David Osafo-Adonteng says a massive improvement in the public transport system, is the surest way to discourage the patronage of commercial motorbike popularly known as Okada , an illegality that is being perpetrated across the country.

According to Mr. Osafo-Adonteng, the difficulty in accessing public transport and the massive traffic congestion in densely populated cities often compels commuters to opt for ‘Okada’, although he believes safety must be the travellers’ priority.

Mr. Adonteng said this in an interaction with journalists in Takoradi after a three day tour of the Western Region by the monitoring and Evaluation team.

He told Maxx News the Road Safety Commission is in talks with government to ensure that the public transport system is improved, if carnage is to be minimized on the road.

He said as far as the use of motorbikes for commercial purposes in Ghana is illegal, it is crucial that the laws are enforced with the safety of commuter in mind.

Mr. Adonteng said the Road Safety Commission in line with the UN’s 2010-2020 decade of action for road safety declaration will introduce spot fines and measures that will address over-speeding.

He noted that recalcitrant motorists who flout road safety regulations will be apprehended and given spot fines or made to pay the fines at designated points within two days.

He explained that the fines will compel drivers to adhere to road regulations to minimize the carnage on the country’s roads.

He advocated the need for cameras to be installed along major highways to monitor motorists who drive beyond required speed limits, adding that the idea could soon to be implemented by the National Road Safety Commission.