Story By: Eric Nii Sackey
The National Executives of Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) says the Union has notified all regional executives to educate and sanitize drivers against accidents and careless driving this Christmas season.
According to the Executives, this directive is as a result of a notification letter received from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA).
Therefore the Union have taken steps to ensure adequate measures are put in place to minimize the rate of accidents during the Christmas season across the country.
Speaking to this reporter, the General Secretary of the Union, Godfred Abulbire said in order to reduce accidents, the Union is and always collaborate with the National Road & Safety Authority (NRSA), the MTTU and other agencies to ensure safety of properties and lives on our roads.
According to him, since the new executives took office, appropriate mechanisms, good policies and strategies are being outlined to put drivers under the Union on checks at all times.
” we have now outdoored new cloths for all our drivers and workers to put checks on any indiscipline drivers on the part of our members across the country. This is beginning of the new policies, the rest would follow suit in due course”, he noted.
On his part, the Industrial Relations Officer at Greater Accra branch of GPRTU, Ibrahim Abass attest to the fact that the Union has really given enough education to all drivers both at meetings and during television programmes.
Explaining that, the sensitization period started since last October which has really helped in the reduction of careless driving that usually results to accidents and lost of lives.
“We have seen a positive results due to the awareness creation, sensitization and education of our members across board on television and during meeting hours, hence have noticed a total reduction of accidents on the roads”, he added.
However cautioned drivers to desist from flaunting the laws but continue to abide by the road safety regulations, respect the road signs and apply good maintenance system to ensure good condition of the vehicle.
Mr Abass further indicated that in order to put proper checks on drivers, the Union have revived the guards to enforce the by-laws and undertake appropriate checking of driver’s license and documents, dressing, condition of vehicles among others at the lorry parks.
“Though we have natural accidents, drivers must be cautious enough to avoid most of the avoidable accidents which are caused by negligence”, he said.
He therefore urged drivers to maintain the standard of accident free, adhere to the ongoing Arrive Alive campaign as well the rules and regulations before, during and after the Yuletide.
- Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
