W/R experience increase in road accidents involving motorbikes, tricycles

• Posted on June 22, 2021June 22, 2021
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Western Region Director of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) Nana Akua Ansaah Cobbinah has disclosed that 17 persons were killed using either a motorbike or tricycle, also known as Aboboya or Pragiya, in the first quarter of 2021.

“Statistics of road accidents involving Pragiya, Aboboya and motorbikes are very alarming. From January to date, we have recorded 177 accidents involving Pragiya, Aboboya and motorbikes. Out of the number 100 were injured. Sadly 19 of them were killed.”

Ms Ansaah Cobbinah made the disclosure at a two-day training workshop for motorbike and tricycle users in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.

Western Region has seen a significant increase in the number of motorbikes and tricycles plying the road and involved in various activities in recent times.

While the motorbikes are commonly used for delivery services, the tricycles are used to cart goods and for passenger services.

Despite the critical services they sometimes provide, motorbikes in particular, are sometimes used to commit crime.

For example, Sekondi-Takoradi has recorded two daytime robberies in which the robbers used motorbikes for their deadly act.

Trend analysis from the regional office of NRSA points that motorbikes and tricycles have moved from the sixth to the second position on the road fatality positioning.

“From 2000 through to 2013, road fatalities involving motorbikes and tricycles were not many. In fact, it assumed the sixth position in terms of road fatalities. But it will surprise you to note that currently they have climbed to the second position. And it is alarming and at the same time worrying, if you look at the rate at which we keep recording accidents involving them,” Nana Akua Ansaah said.

To ensure that road fatalities involving motorbikes and tricycles reduce, the Authority together with allied partners have organised a two-day training for users.

The training exposed the participants to basic knowledge in road signs and other traffic regulations.

“The motorbikes and tricycles have become part of us. In fact, the services that they rendered have become very critical. I mean, look at how convenient it is to sit in the comfort of your office and order food or an item. And in few minutes, you get it unlike previously where you yourself will have to go out. The loss of productive hours. Look at how foodstuffs are now brought frequently from the farm far away. And you must also be aware of how tricycles help to convey the sick and pregnant women from hard-to-reach areas to the health centers. So, they have now become critical. But then again, you and I also know that in recent times, some have become a nuisance. Look at how they drive in traffic with no regard for other road users”.

Nana Akua Ansaah Cobbinah stated that the plan is to organise such training for motorbike and tricycle users in all 14 MMDAs in the region where “these users will become more conscious of the need to obey all road and traffic regulations”.

By Eric Yaw Adjei