Public Relations Officer of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Pearl Sateckla, has revealed that the incidents of faulty and non-functioning traffic lights in the Greater Accra Region is a worrying precedent, urging Ghanaians to exercise caution.
According to her, the problem only increases the vulnerability of road users, especially pedestrians, to road traffic crashes and their associated injuries and deaths. Owing to this, she indicated that failure to fix faulty and non-functional streetlights and traffic signals undermine the intent for their installation.
Madam Sateckla further urged motorists and the police to improvise and manage the situation until the situation gets better.
“It’s very worrying and then a dangerous precedent. We wouldn’t wish that happens but it has happened. So, when you get to an intersection where the traffic lights are not working, that is when you have to be disciplined enough. Your safety should be paramount to you; your concentration should be on the road, tolerate other drivers. It will take discipline for us to manage the situation.”
Pearl Sateckla
Furthermore, Madam Sateckla noted that the Authority is in contact with the Department of Urban Roads which has the management of the traffic lights under its domain. At this point, she noted that in an engagement with the Department of roads, it explained that the traffic lights that are in the country are outmoded and so there is a major policy at the Authority’s end to replace all of them.
“But the major problem they also have is pilfering – thieves taking away all the wires from [the traffic lights].”
Pearl Sateckla
Meanwhile, principal manager of the Planning and Programmes Directorate at NRSA, Mr. Dennis Yeribu, has revealed that approximately 10% of all road accidents in the country are attributed to inadequate tyre maintenance. He emphasized the importance of practicing proper tyre maintenance to ensure road safety.
Speaking at the “Stay Alive Tyre Safety Campaign,” a collaborative initiative between NRSA, Vulco, and the Ghana Police Service, Mr Yeribu explained that drivers must exercise discretion in their choice of tyres.
Drivers urged to use appropriate tyres
Mr. Yeribu stated that the Tyre Safety Campaign will be expanded to other regions in Ghana, with plans to organize a similar exercise targeting public transport vehicles. He explained that the data collected from the campaign will inform future policy directives and targeted educational programs aimed at enhancing road safety.
Furthermore, Mr Yeribu expressed gratitude to Vulco and the Ghana Police Service for their support, while commending the drivers for their cooperation and willingness to receive education on tyre safety.
On his part, Mr. Shakti Shukla, National Retail Manager of Vulco, revealed that a significant proportion, approximately 65% to 70% of the assessed vehicles had winter tyres instead of summer tyres, which are better suited for Ghana’s weather conditions. Summer tyres, he highlighted, are designed with a specific rubber compound to provide excellent grip and handling on both dry and wet roads in warmer climates.
Mr. Shukla noted that the standard maximum shelf life of tyres is five years, but many tyres examined during the campaign were found to be overaged and cracked. He advised motorists to purchase tyres that align with their vehicle’s Original Equipment (OE), ensuring the correct tyre size, maintaining recommended tyre pressure, and checking the manufacturer’s warranty. OE tyres refer to the parts originally fitted to a car during manufacturing, specifically developed for each make and model.
As part of the campaign, the team conducted tyre assessments on around 500 private vehicles travelling on the Tema Motorway. They provided drivers with tyre safety and management tips, distributed tyre inflation coupons, and engaged in road safety awareness activities. After conducting the assessments, the team informed drivers about the condition of their tyres and offered remedies where necessary. Mr.Yeribu highlighted the neglect that many road users exhibit towards tyre maintenance, emphasizing that tyres play a vital role in road safety.
