[ 2014-09-19 ]

Commercial drivers reject seat belts claim
Accra, GNA – The Ghana Private Road Transport
Union (GPRTU) has rejected the claim by the Driver
and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) that the
implementation of the seatbelt law would reduce
road deaths and serious injuries.
They said that it was a fallacy intended to throw
dust into the eyes of the general public, adding
that seatbelts were not the only safeguards
against road accidents and urged authorities to
broaden their focus to cover other preventive
measures.

Mr Robert Sarbah, Greater Accra Regional Chairman,
made this known on Wednesday at a news conference
at the Teachers Hall in Accra.

Mr Sarbah said in the developed world passengers
who boarded intra-city (Trotro) buses were not
required to put on seatbelts because there are
some who even stand in those buses.

He expressed regret that as affected drivers:
“our views on this matter were not sought”
which he described as most unfortunate since the
education had not gone down on the new regulation
just like what happened in August 4, 1974 when
Ghana moved from right to left drive.

He cited South Africa and Nigeria where fitting of
seatbelts policy were introduced but proved to be
impracticable and authorities had to be
abandoned.

“This is a calculated attempt by DVLA to
write-off most of our vehicles by denying the
drivers road worthiness certificate since the
authorities themselves are aware that seatbelts
cannot be fitted in ‘Trotro’ in Ghana,” Mr
Sarbah said.

The Regional Chairman said new buses imported from
Brazil for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) would have 35
sitting and 44 standing capacities, and “How
could those standing use seatbelts while the Metro
Mass Buses are already in the system.”

“Laws are not made to discriminate against the
other, its effect should be holistic, especially
when it comes to road safety,” Mr Sarbah said,
adding that: “we want a level playing field with
our competitors because what is good for the goose
is good for the gander.”

Mr Sarbah accused the DVLA of deviating from its
core mandate of vehicle registration and
examination and deeply involved in buying and
selling of road safety materials which they
intended to supply, install and train identified
personnel in fitting of seatbelts in vehicles.

The DVLA has announced that with effect from
September new commercial vehicles meant for
passenger transport services without seatbelts
would not be registered.

It said from March 2015, the DVLA would not renew
the road worthiness of commercial vehicles that do
not have seatbelts which is line with Road Traffic
Registration, 2012; L.I. 2180 that states: “A
person shall not drive a motor vehicle unless the
motor vehicle is fitted with a seatbelt.”

Source - GNA

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