Mr. Mohammed Abdul Samad addressing participants at the launch in Tamale
The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has launched the Northern Regional “Stay Alive” campaign in Tamale in the Northern region.
Addressing journalists at the launch, the Northern Regional Director of National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Mohammed Abdul Samad, said the objective of the campaign is to increase public education, influence positive change in road users’ behavior to minimize discipline on the roads.
It is also to advocate for a quick response to road safety problems by policymakers and implementors as well as enforcement and monitoring to ensure greater compliance with institutional road safety standards and traffic regulations.
According to him, human error constitutes 90% of road crashes adding that people’s actions or inactions decide the cause or severity of road traffic crisis.
“ Road traffic crashes are man-made and not the devil so let’s stop blaming the devil. It is not the devil it is you, stay alive.”
Mr. Samad called on the general public to play a role in reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 15% in line with the UN-DoA2.
“The campaign target is the attitude for change, excessive over speeding, wrongful overtaking, driving tired, none wearing of set belts and crash helmet among others.”
He indicated that the NRSA, police, and DVLA will collaborate to ensure that the law is enforced.
Statistics from the Northern Regional Office of the NRSA indicate that from January to September 2021 the region recorded 127 reported cases, 224 vehicle accidents, Pedestrian knock-down 46, persons killed 37, and persons injured 90.
The Northern Regional Police Command, COP Timothy Yoosa Bonga, said driving tired, drunkenness among other bad behaviors is the main cause of road crashes.
“ The war on discipline on our road continues and we will not stop until the road is safe.”
COP Bonga assured that the police and other stakeholders will continue to sensitize, educate, and enforce the safety of all road users.
The Northern Regional Police Commander appealed to riders, drivers, and users of the road to stay safe on the road.
“ We are entering the Christmas and New Year period I want to appeal to commercial vehicle owners that they should not make extras demands because when they make extra demands their drivers are forced to make extra trips to be able to meet the demands of their masters.”
FROM Eric Kombat, Tamale