With the intention of lowering traffic accidents before the elections on December 7, the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has released a road safety guideline for political parties. Yesterday saw the launch of the “Road Safety Code of Practice for Political Activities” document in Accra. It lays out guidelines for keeping an eye on convoy movements, political figures’ nighttime travels, party supporter transportation, pedestrian safety and motorcycle use during campaigns.
The code requires political parties, among other things, to hire competent drivers, designate specialists in road safety to positions of leadership, and guarantee that all vehicles used for political purposes are insured. According to data from the NRSA, the country has historically high numbers of traffic fatalities during election seasons due to a disdain for traffic laws and other recommended measures.
For example, during the December election period in 2016, there were 100 crashes involving 157 vehicles that resulted in 44 deaths. This represents a 15.6% increase over the same period in 2015. Similarly, in 2020 there were 155 documented crashes resulting in 44 fatalities and 169 injuries, a 21.9 percent rise from the year before. The data also revealed that, since 2000, there have been more collisions, injuries, and fatalities than in any other year prior to and following the election in all but one of those years.
Deaths increased by 27.4% in 2004 compared to 2003; they declined by 5.1% in 2008 compared to 2007; and they increased by 1.9% in 2012. David Osafo-Adonteng, the Director-General of the NRSA, cautioned the political parties to consider the security of their actors and backers as they conducted their campaigns in front of the elections. He emphasised that they had to make sure they didn’t jeopardise their safety on the roadways while travelling the nation to solicit votes.
He stated that in order to minimise crashes, political parties should make use of their platforms to raise awareness of issues related to road safety and make sure their convoys followed the law. He underlined the necessity for political parties to incorporate the road safety code into their manifestos and make sure that there were workable plans in place to deal with traffic accidents.
In order to lessen roadside violence, Mr. Andonteng emphasised the necessity of stakeholders working together more closely. Malik Basintale, the NDC’s deputy communication officer, said the introduction of the road safety code for political parties was a commendable move that would lessen collisions caused by political campaigns. He stated that the NDC’s 2024 manifesto, which would be unveiled tomorrow, already included several provisions pertaining to road safety.
The road safety code, according to Kwabena Frimpong, the Deputy Director of Protocol for the NPP, was a timely initiative that would guarantee that individuals did not lose their lives as a result of reckless driving during election campaigns. He assured that the NPP will fully abide by the code’s rules and praised the NRSA for taking the effort. Shadrack Nii Yarboi Yartey, the Communication and Programs Lead for CUTS International, Accra, asked all political parties to adopt the code and put the rules into practice on behalf of the Civil society groups Platform on Road Safety. He pleaded with them to support traffic safety at their political gatherings and campaigns.
SOURCE: https://dew360.net
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