The Northern Region has recorded the highest cases of road carnage for the first quarter of 2015.
Records show that between January and September, the region recorded 192 road traffic crashes which involved 141 vehicles.
This resulted in the death of 82 people, whiles 341 were severely injured.
Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji A.BA Fuseini, brought this to the fore on the occasion of the regional road safety awards held in Tamale.
He advocated an enforcement regime on road traffic management that will deal with anyone who flouts traffic regulations.
The Sagnarigu legislator called for enough sensitization on road traffic management especially in Tamale, which has gained notoriety for road indiscipline.
Alhaji A.B.A Fuseini tasked the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), to adopt multifaceted approach to ensure discipline on the roads.
He impressed upon the Driver and Vehicular Licensing Authority (DVLA), to fast track the issuance of licenses to legitimate applicants.
The Deputy Northern Regional Minister bemoaned drunk driving, hence his call on commercial vehicle owners to engage the services of professional drivers.
He further encouraged commercial vehicle owners to ensure routine vehicular maintenance, and appealed to motorists and the general public to exercise maximum care on the roads during the Christmas festive season.
Northern Regional Director of the National Road Safety Commission, Alexander Ayatar, recalled that in 2014, the region recorded 154 road traffic crashes.
According to him, 250 vehicles were involved and that 88 people died in Tamale, Bole, Sawla, Savelugu, Yendi and Walewale.
He raised alarm over the increase in the use of tricycles (Motor King) as commercial vehicles for carrying passengers.
Alex Ayatar revealed that the ‘Motor King’ transportation system had increased school dropouts in the region.
He attributed the lackadaisical enforcement of road traffic bye-laws in the region to chieftaincy, political and religious interference.
He tasked the various political parties to incorporate road safety management into their manifestos for the 2016 general elections.
Alex Ayatar commended some school heads in the region for including road traffic management in their curriculum.
Intercity State Transport Company Limited, Sakasaka Presbyterian primary/Junior High and Ambariya Arabic and English schools and some media houses received awards.
The award categories included the best performing transport organization, media houses that have allocated airtime and space for road safety campaign activities and road safety advocacy schools.
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana