Broken down trucks worsen traffic congestion in Kumasi

Motorists in Kumasi are helpless in dealing with the phenomenon of broken down vehicles on the major highway in the metropolis.

Drivers and passengers commuting the Tech Junction–Adum road have had to contend with heavy vehicular traffic as a result of persistent breakdown of vehicles.

Presently, three heavy-duty trucks have been sitting in the middle of the road at the Oforikrom and Anloga traffic intersections from last Thursday night.

The maximum five-minute journey now takes over an hour to drive through and the condition is expected to worsen during Monday rush hour when vehicular movement increases.

A road hazard is also created as other articulator trucks attempt to maneuver through any available route.

There is no hope the vehicles will soon be towed, because of non-availability of a facility to tow such articulator trucks from the roads. Motorists would have to count on the ability of mechanics to finish working on the faulty parts as early as possible; the resultant damage to the tarred road notwithstanding.

The situation is said to be inimical to business, trading and social activities in the Garden City as most vehicles in the metropolis ply that stretch of the road. However, some petty traders are cashing in on the 'Go Slow' market to make good sales.

On-going road projects like the Asokwa bye-pass and Sofoline Interchange are expected to reduce traffic congestion and ease vehicular movements.

But the efforts will not yield any good results unless measures are taken to address the challenge of removing broken down vehicles, which account for about 20 percent of all accident cases in the country.

The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) has called for the establishment of a Fund to be used in acquisition of the requisite equipment to tow all types of vehicles on the road to help reduce motor traffic accidents.

The travelling public has also called for immediate plans to develop auxiliary roads as alternative to link motorists to other parts of the city.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh/Luv Fm/Ghana