Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Accident and Emergency Unit (Trauma Unit) cases have increased tremendously.
Dr Chris Oppong who is the head of the trauma unit explained to the media during the launch of the 2022 Kumasi road safety report.
According to Dr. Chris even in Kumasi alone, at the trauma Unit, about 30 cases they attend to are accident cases as compared to last year.
Dr. Oppong bemoaned drivers and pedestrians to exercise restraint plying the road.
He expressed worry about the youth dying more through lorry accidents.
Recent data has revealed a surge in pedestrian accidents, comprising more than 60% of road crash fatalities in Kumasi.
The National Road Safety Authority has attributed this trend to traders taking over pavements of major streets, leaving pedestrians with no option but to risk their lives on busy roads.
Despite a 16% decrease in road traffic deaths from 2021 to 2022, road traffic crashes have increased by 24%. 61% of the fatalities involve pedestrians, 22% motor and tricyclists, 16% vehicle occupants, and 1% cyclists.
The National Road Safety Authority blames the incident on speeding and fatigue driving.
Head of the National Road Safety in the Ashanti region, Kwasi Agyenim Boateng, reveals that a major cause of pedestrian knockdown is human activities, like the use of major walkways by traders for trading activities.
He indicated that the encroachment by the hawkers denies access, thereby forcing pedestrians to use busy roads, increasing the risk of collisions.
“Now we see that a lot of the pedestrian infrastructures have been taken over by hawkers and other traders. So it is an issue; we find pedestrians using the road instead of using the provided walkways.”
He, however, spoke of efforts by the authorities to sensitize traders on the dangers of occupying major walkways at the expense of their lives.
He added that the authority is collaborating with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) and the Drivers and Vehicular Licensing Authority (DVLA) to enforce laws on the roads.
Mr. Boateng advised pedestrians to use designated walkways and wear visible clothing at night.
Head of the accidents and emergency unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Dr. Chris Oppong, said road crashes top the number of emergency cases reported at the hospital. He disclosed that pedestrian knockdowns, especially those involving school children, remained high among road crash reported cases at the hospital.
He emphasized the need for overpasses on highways, pedestrian walkways, and zebra crossings.
Story by: KAAKYIRE NYAMEKYE DANSOA / AHOTORONLINE.COM
EMAIL; elizabethgyebi@gmail.com
