‘Pragyia’, ‘Aboboyaa’ witness 17% rise in accident cases – MTTD
A recent report by the Motor Traffic and Transport Division of the Ghana Police Service has revealed that the rate of road accidents among private cars and tricycles, popularly known as “aboboyaa” or “pragyia” has seen a significant increase in the Eastern Region owing to non-compliance to road traffic regulations.
The report, which covered the period of January 2019 to October 2019, revealed that accident rates among commercial vehicles have seen reduction whiles that of private cars and tricycles have seen a significant increase.
Speaking at a press conference in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital, Commander of MTTD of the Region, Chief Superintendent Prince Jude Kobina admitted that the overall rate of accident in the Region marginally reduced by a diminutive 2 percent from January to October this year.
From 1012 accidents in the same period in 2018, the figure slightly reduced to 991, he submitted.
On the casualties of these accidents, the Commander stated that the period under review saw a significant reduction compared to a situation where 298 people lost their lives from 340 casualties in the same period last year.
He pointed out that their report ironically revealed that whiles accidents among commercial vehicles decreased by 17 percent, that of tricycles increased by 17 percent.
Chief Superintendent Kobina averred that from their report, the major reason for this rise in the rate of accidents among private cars and tricycles basically centered on the flouting of traffic regulations by these drivers.
According to him, most of these drivers ply the roads without a license.
He, however, commended the commercial drivers for the strides made in reducing road crashes and urged them to continue to improve upon it.
“It’s very devastating even if one soul is lost through an accident. Accidents with “myself” (private cars) have increased. However, commercial cars decreased by 17%. One of our major worries is motorcycles and tricycles. The rate of accidents among these groups increased by 17%. These drivers don’t protect yourself and again most of them do not have a license. They don’t follow traffic regulations,” Commander Jude Kobina disclosed.
He, however, contended that his outfit has resolved to intensify compliance in order to ensure road safety at the Region prepares to celebrate Christmas.