NRSA COMMENDS GSA FOR PROVISION OF A REST STOP

published: Sept. 29, 2022, 1:51 p.m.

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has commended the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) for the provision of a rest stop at Elubo as part of efforts to improve road safety on our major highways.

The Head of Freight and Logistics at the Ghana Shippers Authority, Mr. Fred Asiedu-Dartey revealed this at a round table discussion on the provision of rest stops on our major highways held at the conference room of the NRSA.

He explained that, the stop provided will serve as a rest stop for cargo drivers who haul goods between Ghana and the landlocked countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

In an introduction, the Ag. Director-General for National Road Safety Authority, Ing. David Osafo Adonteng underscored the importance for road safety stakeholders to meet to deliberate and share ideas on the provision of rest stops and stressed on the need for the discussion. According to him, the unavailability of rest stops on our major highway leads most drivers to drive tired hence involving into crashes.

‘Fatigue has been identified as one of the major causes of road traffic crashes on our roads. There are several of accidents that have occurred as a result of fatigue driving and this is a threat to anyone behind the wheel or on the highway. Commercial driver vehicle and shift workers are among the job categories identified as most vulnerable to fatigue and sleepiness. Since there are no rest stops, most of these drivers drive without resting. This emerging problem needs to be addressed. It is important for us to be gathered here today to deliberate, find the causes, share ideas and provide solutions for the problem. We all come from institutions where we play some role in ensuring safety on our roads therefore let’s all treat this as a national call to help minimize road traffic crashes’, He said.

He added that, some drivers also stop at unauthorized places on the highway stretch which pose as danger to other drivers especially at night.

‘There are some other drivers who also stop or park at places which are not approved. These also causes road traffic crashes especially at night. The National Road Safety Authority have recorded crashes as a result of such incident’, He said.

In a presentation by the Ag. Director for Planning and Programmes at the NRSA, Mr. Daniel Wuaku mentioned that, there had been a reduction in crashes, injuries and deaths by -5.61%, -5.23% and -8.80% respectively from January to April, 2022. He added that, preliminary investigation conducted by the Authority revealed that, 50% of fatal crashes occur as a result of fatigue driving as well as indiscriminate parking of heavy goods and vehicles.

Most of the participants expressed their concern about the safety situation on our major highways and pledged their support to do their best at their various institutions to help solve the situation in the country.

Present at the meeting were representatives from Ghana Roads and Highways, Ghana Shippers Authority, Motto Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police, Ministry of Roads and Highways, Urban Roads, J.K Horgle Transport Limited, Bono East Regional Coordinating Council, among others

GALLERY