POLICE CAUTION DRIVERS ON USE OF MOTORWAY (BACK PAGE)

Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema

THE Ashaiman Divisional Police Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Assistant Superintendent of Police Timothy Dassah, has cautioned drivers to be extra careful on the motorway to reduce the recent spate of accidents on it.
He pointed out that an area on the motorway, 100 metres from Tema and towards the abattoir and after it, had become a ‘death trap’ because of the swiftness of wind on that portion of the road.
ASP Dassah explained that there were no trees to serve as windbreaks and therefore the wind hit the cars directly, causing speeding cars to swerve beyond control, resulting in somersaults.
He noted that various accidents in recent times were the result of loss of control and instability of the vehicles because of the effect of the wind.
ASP Dassah urged drivers on the motorway to be extra cautious and drive within the speed limit of 100 km per hour.
He was of the view that because the road was bare and clear, the drivers speed to the extent that many of them lose concentration.
ASP Dassah said there were road signs on the motorway, which clearly educate the drivers on the stipulated speed at various points.
He was not happy that drivers ignore those signs and time themselves while driving on the motorway and even on other highways.
ASP Dassah noted that drivers must adhere to road signs and abide by them. He disclosed that the police would soon collaborate with the Road Safety Commission to educate the drivers at the various lorry parks on their obligations.
ASP Dassah said it would be difficult to reach private drivers and therefore appealed to the media to assist in educating them through both the electronic and print media to create awareness among them.
He suggested that the horticulture departments of the assemblies must at this time, when the rains have started, plant shady trees to serve as windbreaks on the motorway.
ASP Dassah advised drivers to keep a distance of about 30 metres between moving vehicles to enable them to control eventualities.
He said the police were taking serious view of the situation and would take steps to ensure that discipline prevailed on the motorway.
ASP Dassah denounced the fear that there was some superstition linked to the spate of accidents and urged the public to help educate drivers to keep to the rules and regulations governing driving.
He also appealed to the various drivers unions to educate their members on ensuring sanity on the roads.