National Road Safety Policy launched

The policy recommends the establishment of a body to regulate activities of all operators of the road sector.

A national policy to streamline road safety activities has been launched.

The policy recommends the establishment of a body to regulate activities of all operators in the road sector.

It also proposes strengthening of driver certification and training and the formulation of a code of conduct for driver unions.

Executive Director of the National Road Safety Commission, Noble Appiah, said the policy document was timely.

He lamented the non-existence of professional driving institutions in the country, saying the situation was unhealthy.

Mr Appiah called for a regulatory body with the mandate of ensuring that the capacities of existing driving schools are strengthened to help improve the skills of drivers who pass through those institutions.

Transport Minister, Mike Hammah, said the policy would enable government channel resources used on accidents into productive national activities.

He said road accidents cost the country “a horrendous $165 million annually,” and added that “this is totally unacceptable.”

Mr Hammah said the country stands to benefit substantially if it channels more resources into road safety interventions.

Attached audio contains voices of Noble Appiah and Mike Hammer

Myjoyonline.com/Ghana