Head of the Orthopaedic Unit at Wenchi Methodist Hospital in the Bono region, Emmanuel Denteh, urges road users to adhere to traffic regulations to prevent fatal accidents during the Easter holidays.
He emphasizes that the festive season sees increased travel, with drivers sometimes prioritizing profit over safety by speeding, overloading vehicles, and driving recklessly.
“I want to remind all road users, especially commercial drivers, of the need to be cautious on the road and strictly observe road traffic rules and regulations to avoid accidents during and after the festivities,” he added.
Addressing JoyNews in Wenchi, Mr. Denteh voiced concern about the influx of accident casualties admitted to the Orthopaedic Unit with fractures, twists, and joint dislocations.
He attributed this surge to the festive season’s celebrations, during which many drivers indulge in alcohol consumption, leading to speeding and reckless overtaking.
“Alcohol and driving are never compatible and leads to destruction, so drivers and motorbike riders shouldn’t be intoxicated before driving.
“The thing is if you drink, do not drive, if you drive, do not drink,” he stressed.
Mr Denteh said, “There is a new practice where motorbike riders push their mobile phones into the crash helmet on the chin to keep conversing over the phone while riding, but this is very dangerous”.
He urged motorbike riders to be extra careful on the roads and use crash helmets to escape head injuries or even death during accidents.
He further stressed the importance of road signs and implored road users to let it be their priority, adding without knowledge of road signs, one cannot call him or herself a good driver.
He said road safety is a shared responsibility, calling on all stakeholders to play their roles to prevent the carnage on the roads in the country.