ACCIDENTS INVOLVING MOTOR BIKES WORRYING (PAGE 29)

THE Northern Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service has bemoaned the high cases of road accidents involving motorbikes that claimed many lives in the region last year.
According to the MTTU, out of the 70 deaths that occurred in the region last year through road accidents, 40 of them involved motorbikes in the Tamale metropolis.
The Regional MTTU Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nana Kumi, who made this known to the Daily Graphic in Tamale, explained that although the total number of accident cases reduced significantly last year, compared to 2007 deaths and accident cases, involving motorbikes were still high.
He pointed out that last year, his outfit recorded 118 cases of accidents, involving 168 vehicles and motorbikes, while 178 persons sustained various degrees of injuries.
DSP Nana Kumi further said in 2007, the MTTU recorded 368 accidents, involving 305 vehicles and motorbikes, while 67 lives were lost with 157 persons sustaining injuries in the region.
The MTTU commander observed that the reduction in the cases of accidents was the result of the constant education campaign on road safety measures by the MTTU and the National Road safety Commission at lorry parks, schools and on various radio stations in the Tamale metropolis.
“The high cases of accidents and deaths, involving motorbikes is worrying to us, and that is so because a good number of motorbike riders do not have licenses,” he noted.
DSP Nana Kumi further stated that majority of the motorbike riders and their pillions did not observe road traffic regulations, adding that “in all cases recorded, it was observed that the causes of death were as a result of head injuries and the remote cause was the refusal of most motorbike riders to wear crash helmets”.
He indicated that this year, the MTTU was determined to vigorously enforce the Road Traffic Act to ensure compliance from all road users.
The MTTU commander also expressed concern about the rampant use of “fake” number plates on both motorbikes and vehicles and called for maximum co-operation from all to enable the police to perform their duties effectively.