For Immediate release
Date: December 11, 2021
To all Media Houses
COCJASAAR URGES MOTORISTS, ROAD USERS TO STRICTLY COMPLY WITH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS FOR ACCIDENT FREE YULETIDE
The Coalition of Concerned Journalists and Social Activists Against Road Crashes (COCJASAARC) wishes to appeal to the Ghanaian general public particularly motorists and other road users to strictly adhere to the road traffic regulations while making use of the road before, during and after this yuletide season so as to ensure the carnages on our roads are reduced to the barest minimum.
Naturally, this is the window of opportunity where motorists want to do brisk business to earn enough to meet competing needs which leaves room for drivers to unfortunately drive carelessly by engaging in needless speeding, overtaking, jumping of traffic lights and so on.
Road crashes are still claiming lives in high proportions and causing irreparable injuries to thousands of people every year. As we enter the season of Christmas and New Year, be alive and don’t be victims of gory road crashes.
According to Statisca.com between the period of January to October 2021 alone, Ghana recorded a total of 12,100 motor vehicular accidents involving 20,400 vehicles. Injuries stood at 12,380, with total fatalities within the same period being 2,080 and still counting.
COCJASAARC is hereby reminding all drivers, don’t drink and drive because you may just be consuming your final drink; drive within the required speed limits, and you may just be rushing to nowhere; cross carefully because you just may not reach the other side of the road, all because of deadly road crashes. You are the breadwinner of your family, think twice. You are the only hope of the next person, think twice. You could just become a financial burden unto your loved ones, think twice.
We are entreating all drivers and motor riders to make our roads safe for the general public. Our plea also goes to the Police Motor Traffic Directorate (MTTD) to strictly enforce the road traffic laws and regulations and punish road traffic offenders accordingly for their misconduct on our roads before, during and after the yuletide season.
On the part of passengers, we encourage them to exercise patience while crossing our busy roads, obey traffic warnings and ensure that they don’t risk crossing roads at the peril of their lives.
Finally to both drivers, motor riders and passengers, please desist from receiving or making phone calls while driving or using the roads, as it is rampantly becoming a contributory factor for road accidents knowing that 90% of road accidents are as a result of human error. That call can wait to save lives.
You are very important, your family, your loved ones including Ghana needs you alive to help make them great and strong.
Wishing you all a merry accident free Xmas and a prosperous New Year!.
Signed.
Joseph Wemakor
Co-convenor
0243676813
Bertha Demah
Director of Communications
0553821051