THE Chief of Tamale, Dakpema Naa Mohammed Alhassan Dawuni, in collaboration with the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service is spearheading a crusade to promote discipline among motorists and other road users in the metropolis.
The measure is the first of its kind to be initiated by a traditional ruler in the area and it is envisaged that the bold step by the chief would ultimately help reduce the alarming rate of carnage on the streets of Tamale particularly among motor riders.
The issue of interference in the operations of personnel of the MTTU by some politicians and opinion leaders who plead for the release of residents that flout the road traffic regulations in the metropolis will also be addressed under this new arrangement.
At a joint press conference at his palace in Tamale to announce this initiative, the Dakpema said “henceforth opinion leaders and politicians should avoid interfering in the work of the police because we want to instil discipline among the road users”.
Commercial drivers and executive members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) attended the conference.
The chief also advised commercial drivers and executive members of the GPRTU to ensure that vehicles plying the roads were regularly maintained to reduce accidents.
Statistics available at the office of the regional police MTTU indicated, for instance, that between January and May this year, 65 persons died in a total of 42 accidents involving 66 motorbikes and vehicles.
Additionally, 70 persons sustained various degrees of injury within the same period.
The figures further revealed that most of the accidents and deaths involved motorbikes as most riders failed to use crash helmets.
It has also been observed that although the metropolis boasts one of the best roads in the country with well laid-out pedestrian and bicycle lanes, some road users particularly motor riders use bicycle lanes instead of the roads thereby causing accidents.
The issue of non-observance of road signs, and lack of driving licences due partly to ignorance among some drivers has also been identified.
During a recent meeting with police officers in Tamale by the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Nayina, the issue of indiscipline on the roads resulting in deaths was discussed extensively.
The police at the meeting blamed politicians for interfering in their operations thereby making it difficult for them to curb indiscipline on the streets of Tamale.
Worthy of note was that the minister gave a pledge to support the efforts of the police in order to reduce accidents to the barest minimum.
The Regional Commander of the MTTU, Deputy Superintendent of Police Nana Kumi, observed that in spite of the numerous campaigns including radio discussions on road safety and the enforcement of road traffic regulations, the accident cases recorded this year was a wake-up call to his outfit that more needed to be done to reduce the casualties.
He, therefore, pledged that the police were prepared to support the efforts of the Dakpema to reduce accidents in the metropolis.
“I want to tell drivers that our action should not be misconstrued as witch-hunting and so I would like to plead with you to co-operate with us,” he stressed.
According to Nana Kumi, more than 70 per cent of accident cases recorded in the region occurred in the metropolis.
“Most of the drivers do not have licences, neither do they know the road signs; however the regional MTTU is prepared to educate drivers on the road signs and road traffic regulations, ” he stated.
Nana Kumi further explained that his outfit would intensify its education to avoid such offences as wrongful parking and careless and reckless driving.
The Vice-Chairman of the Taxi/Trotro branch number one, Mr Mahamadu Buadu, and the secretary of the branch, gave pledges on behalf of their members to comply with road traffic regulations.
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