The Department of Urban Roads is being urged by pedestrians and vendors at Accra’s Kaneshie Market to immediately install traffic signals adjacent to two closed footbridges.
They are saying that the situation has become a severe safety issue as people risk their lives crossing the busy roadway, especially at night.
The Busia dual highway has zebra crossings on both sides, and metro guards help throughout the day, however after 6 p.m., pedestrians are not protected. Lack of working lamps and low visibility make it challenging for cars to see individuals crossing in time.
According to locals, installing traffic signals right away would drastically lower the likelihood of accidents, especially those involving schoolchildren.
On Monday at around 7 p.m., it was discovered that pedestrians were crossing without assistance, leaving them vulnerable to speeding cars, many of which disregarded the zebra crossings that had been installed following the closure of the footbridges.
Additionally, there were no warning signs at least 200 meters ahead that might have warned drivers of pedestrian crossings or encouraged them to slow down.
Mr. Alex Opoku, a driver of a Toyota Voxy on the route, attributed the danger to both unsafe pedestrian behaviour and lax policing.
“There is a zebra crossing, but people don’t use it. They just rush across the road without checking for oncoming vehicles,” he said.
He stated, “It puts both drivers and pedestrians at risk.”
He pointed out that although Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) employees and traffic cops were occasionally on duty during the day, the situation worsened in the evening when the road was neglected.
There are no police officers or AMA representatives to direct visitors every evening. Accidents are more likely to occur at that time, he continued.
He emphasised the need for quick action, saying, “There are no traffic lights or even road signs to guide pedestrians.”
Source: newsthemegh.com