The Madina Divisional Motor Transport Traffic Department (MTTD) Command is once again appealing for the immediate installation of traffic lights and street lights in the area to enhance pedestrian and commuter safety.
The 5.6-kilometre highway from the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange to the Pantang Junction has become a death trap especially in the evenings due to poor visibility.
Though road markings have been done, there are no pedestrian walkways, traffic lights and street lights.
Between January to June 2014, 233 accidents were recorded on that road stretch. This number is likely to go up by close of the year due to the nature of the highway.
According to the divisional MTTD Commander, ASP Michael Asiedu, their appeal is hinged on the fact that the lights will aid drivers to see especially at night.
He complained that MMTD personnel face hectic time trying to ensure the safety of both drivers and pedestrians.
[contextly_sidebar id=”QgYJpm4tF8txw74b44b8cTY5afxzBvTd”]The highway has four uncompleted footbridges sited at the intersection of Adenta Barrier, SDA Junction, near the Redco Flats and at Zongo junction.
The situation has therefore forced pedestrians to cross from any available point.
“It’s hectic because they cross from all over the place since they don’t have one particular place even though we try to manage to cross from a particular point, they do it from any point they do wish,” he said.
He stressed that need for streets lights to be installed “and we would wish the traffic intersection lights come so that at dawn when the Police are taking a little rest, the lights will be there to guide the drivers and those pedestrians who are crossing.”
ASP Asiedu explained that because the Madina market which is one of the major market centers in Accra, people come in from the villages and surrounding towns.
“The market is always alive and most of them don’t know the road system and some drivers feel there are no pedestrians around that time so they drive at top speed which causes accidents,” he added.
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana