Mr Kwame Opare, an Assistant Planning Manager, indicated that although the use of Bluetooth devices was not explicitly proscribed by law and was generally considered safer by drivers, it also posed a significant threat.

Mr Opare issued the caution during a road safety and insurance workshop organised by the Daniel Ntow Obese Foundation (DNOF) for some commercial and institutional drivers in Cape Coast.

The training was held to promote responsible driving and mitigate the incidence of road crashes with participants drawn from the University of Cape Coast and various lorry stations dotted across Cape Coast.

Facilitators from NRSA used videos, pictures and statistical trends and analysis from 1999 to 2022 to highlight the risks of careless driving and the need to drive defensively to avoid crashes.

"Although Bluetooth is better than using your cell phone, just park for a few minutes to answer the call before you continue with your journey.

"Picking up calls while driving could get you distracted depending on news from the other end; you can get distracted by the conversation you are having, forgetting that you are driving and not have the time to observe your environment," he warned.
Health professionals also taught the drivers how to approach a medical emergency, specifically how to administer first aid before qualified medical personnel arrived.

Mr Opare observed that the Road Safety law did not originally anticipate the introduction of such devices in cars and was not certain if a proposed amendment of the law would proscribe it or not.

Mr Stephen Ekow Mensah, an Assistant Planning Manager, NRSA, who took the drivers through defensive driving, urged them to have full concentration, observe their environment, anticipate dangers and tolerate other road users when driving.
He observed about 90 per cent of road crashes were caused by human error with speeding, inattentiveness, and improper overtaking taking the first three spots respectively.

Ironically, it was also observed that most crashes happened on straight roads as well as illuminated roads rather than sharp curves, T-junctions, crossroads or roads without proper lighting.

Mr Mensah advised against the use of mobile phones, eating, and engaging passengers while driving because they were distractions.

"Don't use handled devices and practice mindfulness to remain alert, while observing your environment to make quick decisions," he said.

"Driving is a huge task and must be done with extreme care. Anticipation and good judgement are a skill. You should learn to predict every potential hazard and make quick decisions," he added.

Mr Frederick Baidoo, Head of Transport, UCC, entreated drivers to maintain and service their cars regularly to put them in good shape for safe driving.

"Ensure that you change your oil, brake pads, and service other important parts of your regularly because at every point in time, the car must be fit for purpose.

Mr George Amfo-Antiri, Board Secretary of the Foundation, explained that the workshop aimed to produce more responsible and defensive drivers on the road to reduce accidents.

"I have learnt today that not everyone holding a valid license is a qualified driver.

"So, whether you have a valid driver's license or are a road user, you need to be well informed to be responsible so that you don't endanger the lives of other roads user," he said.
He encouraged all drivers to attend refresher programmes often to upgrade their knowledge.

A participant, Mr John Asman Ansah Sams, said the videos had taught him to be extra careful when overtaking another vehicle, particularly when the vehicle ahead was bigger.

The DNOF was established in honour of Mr Daniel Ntow Obese who, for 15 years, served as a caretaker of the Unity Congregation of the Presbyterian of Church at Nkafoa in Cape Coast.
The Foundation is committed to numerous social projects including education and health.