The Tema Regional Command of the Motor Transport and Traffic Department of the Ghana Police Service has advised the public to be cautious when plying the roads to reduce the rate of road accidents.

Sergeant Richard Timinka representing the Regional Commander of the MTTD– Ghana Police Service stated at the Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Office and MTTD road safety campaign platform.

The GNA-Tema and MTTD Road Safety Project seeks to actively create consistent and systematic weekly awareness advocacy on the need to be cautious on the road as a user, educate all road users of their respective responsibilities, and sensitize drivers on road safety regulations, rules and laws.

Sgt. Timinka cautioned both pedestrians and other road users that the statistics for the first quarter indicated a sharp rise in fatalities in the region: 39 deaths recorded; four were males aged below 18-years-old; and 25 were 18-years-old and above.

Two females below 18-years-old; and 18 others were 18-years-old and above also died.

The deaths occurred from 344 accidents involving 194 commercial vehicles, and 248 private cars as well as 99 motorcycles, tricycles, and bicycles.

Sgt Timinka therefore advised road users to be cautious when plying on the road especially during the rainy season. "Pedestrians should give drivers enough indication of their intentions to cross the road, use road markings and walk briskly to cross the street when safe.

"Avoid unnecessary obstructions and interference, focus on the task of crossing the road safely, don't use phones while crossing the road, and cross at designated portions of the road at zebra cross, footbridges, near intersections, junctions, and near roundabout.

"Avoid crossing from an obscure corner, behind vehicles, or without giving sufficient notice to the incoming vehicle, and drivers are mandated to stop for pedestrians to cross the road, when signalled for permission".

He said there was the need to go by road safety regulations to help reduce accidents and stop engaging in mobile phone conversation or whatsapp chatting while driving, "even in a slow moving traffic it is an offense".

He reminded drivers that it was an offense to drive on the shoulders of the road and wrongful overtaking all lead to accidents.

He said the roads were meant for both drivers and pedestrians, and that at every given time a driver could also become a pedestrian, "so it should be the duty of every driver to protect the pedestrians".

Mr Francis Ameyibor, Tema Regional Manager of the Ghana News Agency appealed to the media to upscale public education on road safety, stressing that, "road safety is a shared responsibility, we must not leave anyone behind".

He commended the MTTD Tema Regional Command for the effort to team-up with the Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Office to embark on the weekly public education campaign to make the roads safe for all.