Central Regional Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bernard Allotey Jacobs, is recommending physiological check-ups for drivers.
Mr. Jacobs opines that most fatal accidents in the country are caused by the indiscretion of drivers, majority of which he suspects, have mental problems.
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There has been an increase in the rate of accidents across the country. Over the weekend, at least, 18 people died in separate accidents in the Northern Region.
As if that was not enough, another accident on Monday has claimed 10 more lives, generating a lot of debate with many questioning the relevance of road safety institutions in the country.
As an immediate measure, President Akufo-Addo has ordered the police and other institutions to immediately enforce an a government-engineered “action plan” to deal with road accidents.
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But on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem Tuesday, Allotey Jacobs said an action plan wasn’t enough to curb the carnage on our roads.
He bemoaned how the country continues to record fatal accidents in spite of the many road safety measures that have been instituted.
“The blood spill on our roads is unbearable and unimaginable and I blame the drivers; most of them take tramadol and become intoxicated when driving”, he stated.
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The NDC Central Regional Chairman suggested if such drivers are arrested, they must be confined to mental hospitals for six months for physiological examination before they are released.
Allotey Jacobs also called on the Transport Ministry to engage the driver unions on road safety measures
“We need to inculcate in them, the sense of responsibility; there is too much indiscipline on our roads. The carnage is becoming too much”, he stressed.
In support, the Member of Parliament for Mfantsiman constituency, Ekow Hayford said the accidents on our roads were now a national security threat.
He noted that, everyone can be a victim if prompt action wasn’t taken to ensure drivers are responsible on our roads.
Hon. Ekow Hayford urged the police to be proactive and enforce the road traffic rules to prevent such accidents.
Drivers must be mentally examined – Allotey Jacobs
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