Motor, tricycle riders urged to be disciplined on the road

The Director of Operations and Monitoring Evaluation for Street Sense Organisation (SSO), Mr. Gabriel Kofi Dake says reckless driving and indiscipline among some motor and tricycle drivers are a major cause of road accidents in Ghana.
He has therefore, advised motor and tricycle riders to eschew all negative behaviors that cause road accidents.

Mr. Dake was speaking at a road safety campaign for motor and tricycle (popularly called pragea) riders, organised by the Church of Pentecost – Achimota Area Men’s Ministry (PEMEM) at the Church of Pentecost Pokuase Central Auditorium.

The event which was on the theme: “Road Safety! My Concern, Your Concern, Our Concern,” attracted about 200 motorcycle and tricycle riders from different unions in Pokuase.

Mr. Dake said “practices such as drink-driving, substance abuse, speeding and wrong overtaking are all negative behavior and attitudes that contribute to road accidents on daily basis”.

He advised the riders to acquire license before using motor and tricycles on the road, indicating that “driving without a license is an offense that is punishable by law”.

He urged the riders to always keep their motor and tricycles in good condition, including ensuring that their machines have functioning side mirrors.

“Anytime you ride, always remember to put on your protective equipment such as helmet, reflectors, heavy-duty jacket, boot, glove, as well as knee and elbow guard,” Mr. Dake added.
He encouraged the motor and tricycle unions to regularly organise training workshops to educate their members on road safety regulations.

Mr. Samson Oddoye, the National Coordinator of SSO reiterated the need for the motor and tricycle riders to adhere to traffic regulations.
“As motor and tricycle riders, you need to respect traffic light signs and traffic indicators of in-coming vehicles, and avoid reckless crossing of vehicles and meandering in between cars,” he added.
Explaining the rationale for the road safety campaign, Pastor Francis M. K. Klu, District Pastor of the Church of Pentecost Pokuase Central said the church was alarmed by the spate of road accidents, especially those involving motor and tricycle riders.

“As a church, we therefore, felt it an obligation to mobilise the motor and tricycle riders in Pokuase to sensitise on road safety to help ensure sanity on our roads,” he said.
He stated that his church would continue to engage relevant stakeholders, including political and traditional leaders, transport and motorcycle unions to help promote road safety, not only in Pokuase, but in Ghana as a whole.

In attendance were the Chief of Pokuase, Nii Otto Kwame V, representative of MCE – Ga North Municipal Assembly and the Assemblyman of Pokuase, who all added their voices for the need for the motor and tricycle riders to observe traffic regulations during riding.