Report by Ben LARYEA
As part of the effort to curb road crashes in the country, Speedlimit Consult Ltd, a transport and consultancy and advocacy organisation in collaboration with the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Motor Traffic Transport Department, (MTTD) of Ghana Police and the Driver, Vehicle and Licence Authority (DVLA) has launched the Road Masters Quiz (RMQ) in Accra.
The RMQ will help educate the public on road safety and awareness among motorists as well as pedestrians in the bid to reduce road accidents across the country by engaging drivers through questions and answers in a quiz contest with prizes.
Speaking at the launch of the RMQ, the Managing Director of Speedlimit Consult Ltd, Mr. Nutifafa Abenyega Anagbo Bubumu said government and stakeholders in the road and transport sector must develop comprehensive working framework in addressing road crashes across the country.
According to him, the level of road accidents is on the rise and indicated that the MTTD annual report have revealed that 2,020 deaths have been recorded in 2018 from road crashes and described the issue as very worrying.
“It is on this note that the RMQ have introduced a television show to educate, and sensitize the public on issues relating to road safety and the measures to put in place to collectively address and find a lasting solution to the road menace”, he said.
The Director General of NRSA, Mrs. May Obiri-Yeboah advised road users and pedestrians to adhere to rules and regulations governing road safety and again called on all to refrain from using mobile while on the road.
For his part, the Head Training and Development of National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) Ing. Maxwell Kofi Zanu called for a collective effort to make the RMQ successful by all stakeholders and urged all to come on board to propagate the advocacy.
According to him, the RMQ will enhance the knowledge of drivers and pedestrians on issues relating to road safety and will also challenge both to strictly adhere to safety protocols outlined by the NRSA and its allied agencies.
He attributed road crashes in the country mainly on over speeding, drunk driving, fatigue, poor visibility, parking at unauthorized lanes, faded road markings and signs, lack of streetlights among others.
The Patron of the RMQ, Nana Dr. Appiagyei Dankawoso I and Past President of Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) commended the initiative of Speedlimit and urged corporate Ghana to support in cash and in kind.
He explained that the programmes will go a long way in addressing the road menace and fatalities and will fine-tune the mindset of drivers and the public.