The Western Regional Office of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has intensified its sensitisation campaign to educate road users on the need to observe safety rules and regulations on the roads.

The campaign, held in collaboration with the Western Regional Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, targeted drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other road users to promote behavioural change and help ensure safety and reduce road traffic crashes in the region.

Some of the activities carried out included pre-departure checks, enforcement of highway pedestrian footbridge usage, and a clampdown on wrongful parking along the roads, among others.

Mr Victor Kojo Bilson, the Western Regional Head of the NRSA, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during the exercise that the campaign was part of planned activities being undertaken by the Authority to promote good road practices among users.

He said the Authority was focused on reminding drivers to speed within acceptable limits and educating passengers to ensure drivers observed these safety rules to reduce crashes.

He said, “Currently, the region sits fifth in terms of crashes, injuries, and deaths on our roads, and that is something we are seeking to reduce, so we are engaging them to let them understand their roles as road users to achieve that.”

Mr Bilson advised drivers to avoid speeding, overloading, irresponsible overtaking, and driving while tired, while ensuring regular maintenance of their vehicles to help ensure safety on the roads for all.

Touching on the issue of jaywalking on roads, he implored pedestrians to use footbridges and cross highways at designated sections to reduce knockdowns.

“The footbridges have been built not for fun, but to help pedestrians to cross from one end of the road to the other safely, so we are asking them to use this facility to help us all avoid being knocked down by speeding vehicles,” Mr Bilson added.

He assured that the Authority would continue to sustain the education and enforcement campaign to help achieve the desired results.

Mr Patrick Somiah, Secretary, Takoradi-Accra Station Branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), commended the NRSA for embarking on the campaign and said it was a step in the right direction.

He noted that ensuring safety on the roads was a shared responsibility and that as drivers, they would play their role to ensure every road user stayed alive.

He also asked the NRSA and the Police MTTD to strictly enforce road safety laws to help curb irresponsible behaviours on the roads.