Accra records 72 accidents during Easter, no deaths

Accra, April 25, GNA - Accra recorded a total of 72 accidents involving 129 vehicles during the Easter holidays.

Eleven were "very serious" with huge financial costs, a senior police officer told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra on Tuesday. Forty-six people were injured, but no deaths were recorded, he said.

Mr Samuel K. Appiah, Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Police in charge of the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU), said the figures contrast with the 110 accidents recorded last year with four deaths and 49 injuries.

He said the decrease in figures was due to constant police patrol throughout the holidays. Kaneshie recorded the highest of 12 accidents involving 29 vehicles, followed by Achimota with 10 involving 14 vehicles and Teshie, five involving five vehicles.

Mr Appiah said these areas are included in the "Conflict Zones" which he defined as areas where there is always confusion due to huge traffic. The Assistant Commissioner said the accidents were caused by recklessness of drivers, change in the road structure and the increase in the number of vehicles on the roads "all fighting for the same space."

He said as part of the Unit's preparation towards the Easter celebrations, police personnel were deplored to various parts of Accra, especially the "Conflict Zones."

AC Appiah said most of the 46 people injured were treated and discharged. He advised drivers to observe traffic regulations and exercise restraint in order to ensure safety and minimise the number of accidents on the roads.