Vivo Energy Ghana, in collaboration with the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), has held a comprehensive safe driving training for over 100 commercial drivers in the Tema Metropolis.
The programme dubbed “Fit2drive” and aimed at equipping the drivers with essential skills and knowledge to reduce the risk of road transportation, touched on defensive driving techniques, fostering responsible driving, and highlighted dangers associated with distracted driving, among others.
The event, which was partnered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), and Hollard Insurance Company, was also used for free health screening of the drivers facilitated by Jaxn Medical Diagnostic Services.
Mr. Felix Owusu, Planning Manager of the NRSA Greater Accra Regional Office, commended Vivo Energy Ghana for their support in training commercial drivers over the years, saying that the investment in the drivers would ensure their safety and that of the passengers and the communities, and also reduce the risk of road crashes and fatalities in the country.
Mr. Owusu mentioned that the major causes of road crashes included human error, mechanical failure, the bad nature of roads, and bad weather conditions, noting that human error constituted over 90 percent of road collisions and fatalities in the country.
He called for attitudinal change on the roads, emphasising that drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists have their respective roles to play in the country’s effort to reduce road crashes.
He advised the drivers to purchase quality tires and make use of DVLA-approved lights for cars, while urging them to identify and notify authorities on billboards that hinder visibility on the road for rectification.
Mr. Courage Doh, Senior Engineer, DVLA, quizzed the drivers on road signs and markings and educated them on the potential hazards and dangers associated with neglecting such important signs and markings.
The drivers who were able to give the correct answers received gifts as rewards and to encourage others to be conversant with road signs and markings.
He advised them to desist from increasing their car seats and avoid the use of tinted glass, reminding them that the DVLA, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, would, from January 2025, intensify snap checks to arrest and prosecute all commercial vehicles using tinted glass.
General Sargent Munkaila Alhassan, Accident Investigator, Tema Regional Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD), urged the drivers to respect police authority and instructions, provide clear explanations, be discipline and responsible on the road, as well as be courteous during interactions with the police.
He advised them to learn and understand road and traffic regulations and maintain professionalism in their activities.
GNA
