Effiduasi (Ashanti), 17 Nov, 1998 - The Sekyere East district has between January and October, recorded 33 road accidents with seven deaths and 26 persons maimed or hospitalised.

Mr Seth M. Gyimah, the District Police Commander, disclosed this at a forum on road safety at Effiduasi. It was organised by the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) and the Regional Road Safety Committee.

He advised passengers not to board over-loaded vehicles in their own interest since they may not even be compensated in case of a mishap.

Mr Atta Agyeman, of the Ashanti Regional Road Safety Committee, noted that alcoholism, over-speeding, unncessary over-taking, over- loading and an over- concentration playing music while driving, are some of the major causes of road accidents in the country.

He advised drivers to wear seat belts and pay particular attention to road signs to avoid accidents.

Police Inspector Fred Nuwor, of the Police Motor Transport and Traffic Unit in Kumasi, stressed the need to repeal the existing road laws and replace them with laws that go with heavy fines and long-term imprisonment to serve as a deterrent to reckless drivers.

A demonstration on the correct use of the road by pedestrians was conducted by the MTTU personnel.