A road safety enthusiast in the Bono region, Mustapha Maison Yeboah, has appealed to the various transport unions in the country to educate their members on the laws relating to the Road Traffic Act to prevent them from disregarding the law.

He also urged all road users, including commercial and private drivers, to be abreast of matters relating to road safety and the law to ensure a harmonious relationship between them and the police.

He further advised commercial drivers, especially taxi drivers, to discard the notion that the police are there to harass them.

“The police as a law enforcement body in the country will not target a section of the populace during the discharge of their duties as perceived by the taxi drivers all around,” Mr Yeboah explained.

He said it is the responsibility of the police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that road users obey road traffic laws and regulations such as speed limits, traffic signals, and traffic signs.

He stated that “Enforcing the road traffic laws by the police helps to deter reckless driving and other dangerous behaviours on the road, which can prevent needless accidents and save lives".

Touching on the fines imposed by the law courts for traffic offences, Mr Yeboah stated that the judges were only applying the penalties or punishments prescribed by the law.

"The police are only enforcing the law, and the courts are also imposing the fines as prescribed by law, so it should not be seen as harassment they are rather ensuring discipline and safety on the roads,” he observed.

He tasked the leadership of the various transport unions to impress upon their members to endeavour to operate within the confines of the Road Traffic ACT, which has been in existence for quite some time.

“I entreat transport unions across the country to help create awareness on the need for discipline on the roads to protect lives and properties,” he pointed out.

He added, “I believe that through strict observance of road safety regulations such as the wearing of crash helmet and driving at the right speed limit among others, carnage on the roads will drastically reduce”.

He noted that some of the blunders committed by commercial drivers are due to ignorance, so there is a need for constant road safety education for the drivers by the unions.

Mr Yeboah, also the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Posterity Interest Organization (COPIO), appealed to drivers to be courteous and disciplined and cooperate with the police to ensure safety on the roads.