Impact Sync is encouraging vehicle passengers to aid in policing reckless driving in a new initiative called the “Kasa for Safety” in partnership with the National Road Safety Authority.
The initiative by the two agencies in collaboration with D-Prize, IREX, the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, and TroTro Diaries is targeting passenger empowerment to demand improved driving on the country’s roads.
As at the end of March 2024, Ghana’s accident statistics stood at 4,503 crashes, 809 deaths with 4955 injuries recorded in the first quarter. A worrying statistic, which according to the Motor Transport and Traffic Department demands urgent intervention.
Team Lead of Impact Sync, Akosua Afriyie Osei-Appaw Mensah, stressing on the road accidents numbers expressed worry over the seeming lack of coordination between drivers and passengers to ensure the protection of lives.
"As passengers, we hold the power to influence drivers and create a culture of accountability on our roads" she told journalists at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle at Accra. A position supported by team partner Yaw Tweneboah Kodua Odoom.
"This campaign is dedicated to giving you the voice and the courage to speak out when you witness unsafe driving practices"
To whip up excitement about the campaign, gifts were given out to drivers who signed on to the initiative. This included fuel coupons, car batteries, wiper blades and many more.
This was followed by an engaging session on hazard perception sensitization with drivers.
For the drivers, the manner in which feedback is delivered to them by their passengers leave a lot to be desired hence their nonchalance. They admitted to recklessness in certain instances during their driving journeys.
"The passengers do not respect us. They talk to us anyhow but hopefully, this campaign will teach passengers how to talk to us politely".
Speaking to journalists following the launch, Team lead of Impact Sync, Akosua Afriyie Osei-Appaw Mensah reiterated their resolve to replicate the event across lorry stations in the country.
We hope to have pasted 1000 stickers in trotros in Accra by the end of August. By the end of our first year, we plan to expand our campaign to other regions of Ghana. By the 5 year mark, we expect to have expanded to all the regions of Ghana.”
Commenti