N1 highway has killed 200 people in 17 months

Statistics from the National Road Safety Commission indicates that the “infamous” N1- Highway has killed 200 people in 500 vehicular accidents within a period of 17months. This was disclosed by Ing. Samuel Obeng Asiamah, a Senior Planning Officer of the Commission.

Speaking on Pluzz Today on Pluzz 89.9fm hosted by Kwame Osei Tutu, Mr. Asiamah stated that the N1 Highway does not meet required global road safety standards.

Ing Samuel Obeng Asiamah, an engineer by profession was troubled by the kind of road engineering handed to Ghanaians by fellow engineers who worked on the road.

Mr. Asiamah described as worrying the insensitive by those concerned not to do anything about the defects on the road. He said due to the poor nature of the road in terms of its construction, the description given to the road as a motorway should be withdrawn.

The Road Safety Officer in analysing other causes of road accidents apart from the poor nature of roads in Ghana mentioned driver indiscipline, over speeding and the use of mobile phones while driving.

He disclosed that an amount of $60,000 could save the needless deaths on the N1 Highway per the construction of 6 additional footbridges at various vantage areas.

Ing. Samuel Obeng Asiamah further disclosed that 1,113 people have been killed through road accidents in the first half of 2013. He expressed his frustration at the flouting of the laws by Okada (motorbike) riders saying they are now causing many accidents.