Commercial drivers advised to take mandatory rest

Mr. Thomas Bismark Boakye, the Central and Western Regional Coordinator of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) advised drivers, especially those operating on commercial basis to take mandatory rest to help curb accidents on the roads due to fatigue.

He expressed concern that although rest stops have been located at certain strategic places to enable drivers rest, they failed to patronize the facility resulting in accidents due to fatigue.

Mr. Boakye made the call at the launch of an educational programme named "Don't drive tired, break the drive, stay alive," at Cape Coast.

He said "fatigue driving" was the third cause of road accidents in the country and asked drivers to rest after driving for four hours.

Mr. Boakye said it would soon be mandatory for all drivers from Cape Coast to Accra to rest at Winneba junction, and those from Accra to Cape Coast to rest at Mankessim, and urged all drivers to comply with any such order to reduce road accidents.

Mr. Boakye said the programme was being launched nationwide and it would continue until Decembers this year, adding that stickers with the inscription "don't drive tired, break the drive, stay alive" would be posted on all vehicles and billboards at vantage points to serve as a reminder to drivers.

Chief Superintendent Charles Oduro Botchwey, Central Regional Commander of the Motor and Traffic Transport Unit (MTTU), urged passengers to alert drivers when they realise that they are tired or sleeping whilst driving.

He said most roads accidents, could have been prevented if drivers were disciplined and patient on the roads.

The Regional MTTU commander appealed to vehicle owners not to demand too much money from their drivers, adding that such demands forced drivers to drive even when they were tired and weak resulting in fatal accidents.