National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) Urges ‘Okada’Riders to Obey Road Traffic Rules
The Planning and Programmes Manager for the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Perpetual Akoto Ofori has called on the commercial motor riders, popularly known as “OKADA” to always obey road traffic rules.
According to her, their compliance with the road traffic rulesand regulations will help the Authority achieve its aim for the “Stay Alive Campaign” which is geared toward reducing road carnages in the country.
Speaking at a national commercial motor riders’ sensitisation ‘Gala’ game in Accra, she said commercial motorists are increasingly becoming part of road users in the country hence the need to support them to be road safety conscious.
“We are reiterating the need to stay alive. It’s been three years now since we launched the ‘Stay Alive Campaign’ which says that there’s no devil anywhere; it is the misbehaviour on the road which is causing the traffic crashes. So, if you can reduce your speed, if you get to school locations you have to drive within 30km/h; if you get to settlement areas it should be 50km/h. So, this is what we are reiterating to all riders to respect any other traffic regulations for all of us to stay alive”,Perpetual Akoto Ofori said.
At the same event, C.O.P Samuel Armarh, a Traffic Enforcement Investigator with the Motor Traffic and Transport Division (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service alsoemphasized the need to uphold road traffic rules by the motorists. This, he said will enhance their safety in the course of their operations.
“As a rider, be ware of your surrounding. When you are riding, keep your eyes on the road. Make sure you are seen and you also see other motorists on the road. Follow all road traffic rules and signs. The speed signs you see on the road are not for decorations, they are to control your movements”, he said.
The National Commercial Motor Riders Union also pleads with key actors in government especially the Legislature to legalize and regularize the operations of its members to avoid police harassment.
The commercial motor riders’ sensitization ‘Gala’ games drew together participating riders from Kasoa, Oyibi, East Legon, and Ashaiman where its national secretariat is sited.
The event which was held at the Elwak Sports Stadium in Accra saw participants competed in various sporting activities including football, Ludu, Oware, Draft, athletics among others.