Out of a total number of 357 persons killed in road accidents in the Ashanti Region, motor and tricycle alone have killed 104.
The data, compiled within the first seven months of 2021 by the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, reveal motor and tricycle contribute 29 percent to the total number of road carnage in the Region.
According to the data, there was a 6 percent increase in motor and tricycle fatalities as compared to same period last year, where 98 persons died.
In an exclusive interview on Akoma FM’s current affairs and political show GhanAkoma Wednesday, September 1, the Ashanti Region MTTD Commander, Superintendent Emmanuel Aduboahene disclosed that “the indiscipline acts some of the riders exhibit on our roads is a major causal agent of increasing numbers of road carnage”.
The data further revealed a total number of 697 reported cases of motor and tricycle accidents, a 22 percent increase as against 2020’s 570 cases. This means that at least, every day, average two separate motor or tricycle accidents are recorded in the Ashanti Region.
Superintendent Aduboahene, who described the surging trend as worrying, assured of immediate strategic decisions to clamp down on all motorcycle and tricycle riders who flout road traffic regulations.
“From today, Wednesday, you will see MTTD personnel on all our roads to flush out the indisciplined riders from our roads to reduce the swelling figures of road traffic accidents.”
ASHANTI REGSEC INVOLVEMENT
The MTTD Commander reiterated that the operation to clamp down on indisciplined motor and tricycle riders has a full backing of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC).
He further told host of the show Aduanaba Kofi Asante Ennin that “the glaring figures revealed by the first seven months of this year compelled the Command with a strategic plan by the REGSEC to execute this operation”.
He further advised and again cautioned minors and those without license engaging in the menace to desist, else the laws will be fully applied when found culpable.
COST OF TREATING AND SURGERY ON MOTOR AND TRICYCLE ACCIDENT VICTIMS
Meanwhile, head of Oral and Maxilofacial Surgery Unit at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Dr Oti Acheampong, who later joined the discussion via phone, added that most of the cases his unit receive has 80 percent victims of motorcycle or tricycle.
“Most at times the cases come in with different degrees of injuries from head crash to severe bone fracture even sometimes most of the injuries warrant amputation.”
Dr Oti Acheampong further explained that “the irony is that most of the accident victims of motor and tricycle are just ‘hand-to-mouth’ riders, so they find it difficult to bear the cost of their treatment, that’s if they are lucky to survive the accident.”
He added that “at least it will cost averagely GH¢6,000 to GH¢20,000 to undergo a maxilofacial surgery. So me I believe it’s about time their activities are regulated, checked and whipped in line to ensure discipline on our roads because there’s the downside and good side of these tricycles and motors”.
THE TEARING LISTENER WHO PHONED IN
During the phone-in segment of the GhanAkoma morning show, a caller came through the line with a heavy sobbing and shaky voice.
Name withheld, he explained that “today I have really enjoyed your show but it has really made me cry. In fact, today I will pour liquor on the ground because your programme this morning has triggered memories of my late mum who was killed in a road accident while sitting in a tricycle”.
Series of calls that came through lauded production of such programmes to educate, inform and touch emotions to yield positive impact on society.
By Nana Asenso Mensah|Akoma FM|3news.com|Ghana