75 killed on roads in A/R since start of 2013

Seventy-five people were killed in road crashes in the Ashanti Region in the first three months of the year.

The Regional Commander of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Chief Superintendent Godact D. Hlodzi, made this known to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Kumasi.

He said 516 others also sustained injuries. There were 330 reported crashes during the period and these involved 463 vehicles and motor bikes.

He said even though there was significant reduction compared with the 92 deaths recorded in the first quarter of year 2012, the figure still remained unacceptably high.

Poor maintenance of vehicles, overspeeding and disrespect for road traffic regulations, he said, accounted for the fatalities. Chief Superintendent Hlodzi vowed to do everything to ensure discipline on the roads to provide safety for travellers and road users.

He said as at the end of March, the Police had arrested and prosecuted 82 traffic offenders. Fines imposed on them, totalled GH¢19,840.00. Six offenders were, however, freed by the courts.

The MTTU Regional Commander, spoke of the intensification of road safety education and strong police presence on the roads, especially the highways, to help reduce road crashes and fatalities.