23% of pedestrian knockdowns involve school children – NRSA

• Posted on May 22, 2023May 22, 2023
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

About 23% of pedestrian knockdowns in Ghana involve school children, this is according to National Road Safety Authority’s (NRSA) 2022 statistics.

Speaking exclusively to Skyy News on Road Safety Week, themed “Pedestrian Safety; Rethink Mobility” the Western Regional Head for the NRSA Nana Akua Ansah Cobbinah said that school children normally get knocked down on their way to school and after school.

As a result of this, they embarked on a sensitisation exercise in various schools to educate students on road safety and also helped some of them to cross roads during the road safety week.

He said school children are vulnerable so parents and schools should get road safety wardens to assist these kids in crossing the road and taking them to school and back.

She said, “This is the reason we are raising awareness for the drivers to be careful and consider school children due to their vulnerability. “

“If you are a parent and your children are very young, hire somebody to assist you pick your children and taking them to school if you don’t have the time and don’t leave them alone.”

She further urged the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to give prior notice before taking power in some areas so the MTTD can direct their men to help control the traffic.

“Sometimes when there is light out, the cars cannot be controlled hence making it difficult for school children to cross the road, I will urge the ECG to give advance notice so the MTTD can stand at areas where there are traffic lights to assist and direct the vehicles.”

The Municipal Fire commander, DO 3 Bernard Adjei speaking to Skyy News also advised drivers on fire safety by educating them on the importance of fire extinguishers.

He said drivers should purchase the right extinguishers, make sure it has not expired and learn how to use fire extinguishers to douse fire in case of an emergency.

He also urged drivers to educate themselves on first aid since they are the ones who normally chance on accident victims, in order to be able to manifest the first aid and handle accident victims.

-Skyy Power