Total Ghana supports UN road safety campaign

Total Petroleum Ghana Limited, the leading oil marketing company in Ghana, has launched a 13-week road safety campaign in support of the first United Nations' road safety campaign.

The Managing Director of Total Petroleum Ghana Limited, Felix Majekodunmi, who launched the campaign, explained that the company attached immense importance to the welfare and safety of motorists and therefore appealed for a change in attitude towards road usage, particularly the observance of road signs and traffic regulations by motorists, to prevent accidents.

He emphasised that the use of crash helmets by motor riders could reduce serious injuries from accidents by 70 per cent, since most crash injuries affected the head, adding that the use of seatbelts also reduced injuries by 45-50 per cent.

The campaign, which was organised in collaboration with the Ghana Road Safety Commission and the Global Road Safety Partnership, was to educate all road users on the use of helmets and general traffic regulations.

During the 13-week long campaign, Total Petroleum Ghana Limited would organise quizzes, games and provide tit-bits on road safety for school children.

The activity, code-named “Play and Win”, would see winners receiving branded Total T-shirts and road safety booklets published by United Nations Children Fund.

In a second package, five drivers would receive 10 gallons of petrol or diesel and a road safety booklet for 13 weeks.

The modalities for winning included a strict observance of traffic regulations, road signs, wearing seat belt, helmets and desisting from the use of mobile phones while driving.

Total Petroleum Ghana Limited had been committed to road safety activities and had also supported numerous road safety campaigns since 2005.

By the end of the thirteenth week, a measure of awareness would have been created to mitigate road accidents considerably, it is hoped.