44 perish in post-election jubilations - Police

About forty four (44) people have been killed through road accidents after Ghana’s elections on December 7th 2016, Police have said.

According to police report, about one hundred and sixty nine (169) sustained various degrees of injuries from hundred cases (100) of traffic crushes, recorded from 7th to 11th December, involving one hundred and fifty seven (157) cars.

Chronicling the incidents at a press briefing by the National Road Safety Commission’s (NRSC) end of year programme, aimed at improving road safety situation ahead of the Christmas festivities on Monday 19th December 2016, DSP Emmanuel Boahen, Madina Divisional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Directorate (MTTD) said about twenty two (22) of the accidents were fatal while forty one (41) were serious cases.

Describing the figures as alarming, DSP Boahen said most of the accidents could largely be attributed to rash driving from post-election jubilations which went on for a while throughout the country.

He indicated that about thirty seven (37) of the cases were minor accidents, while pedestrian knockdowns was forty two (42).

Aside those figures, DSP Boahen recounted an incident on the Ofoase Kokoben Bekwai road in the Ashanti Region on 30th November 2016 where 12 people died.

He pointed out that 20 people died on 11th December at Apam in the Central Region whereas 6 died on 27th November 2016 on the road to Akuse.

For the part of Chief Executive Director of NRSC, ING Mrs. May Obiri-Yeboah, the Commission has observed with worry some disturbing road use practices by celebrants following the declaration of results by the Electoral Commissioner.

“The Commission has observed with worry, also the practice of motor riders taking to needless maneuvering without helmets, speeds in settlements areas, non-wearing of seatbelts and carrying of persons in buckets of pickups among other risky conducts”, she submitted.

She thus called on the leadership of political parties to engage their followers on the need to celebrate without exposing themselves to the risk of road traffic deaths and injuries.

After the press briefing, ING Obiri-Yeboah took the opportunity to make a presentation of some enforcement logistics to the MTTD to aid in check irregularities on the road during this festive season.

Some of the items presented include 20 Reflective Vest, 7 measuring Wheel, 7 Digital Height Gauge, 2 Desktop Computers and 7 laptop Computers.

The rest are 1000 Alcohol test tubes, speed radar gun, Alco meter, dash board camera and Calibration of equipment. The executive Director said the items were purchased at a cost of GH¢ 800, 000.