According
to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), this will involve
inspection of workshops of the artisans under the Ghana Association of Garages,
whilst some institutions, including the KNUST, will be involved in research and
development of standards in fitting the belts.
“Once
these are done, we are also sure that the vehicles whose belts have been fixed,
are fitted with expertise so that at least when it comes to incidents such as
crashes the benefits of the seatbelts will not be denied anybody,” says Rudolf Beckley,
CEO of DVLA.
The
project on mandatory seatbelt use started last year after the activation of the
Road Traffic Regulation 2012, which has the goal to ensure Ghana is the safest
destination for road safety.
Almost
165 artisans from various garages across the country have so far been training
in the programme implementation.
Mr.
Beckley says there should be adequate skill sets and knowledge in enforcing the
seat belt installation from June 1, 2015.
“The
DVLA has embarked on this process because we feel that time has come for us to
also retain special skills amongst our artisans,” he stated. “Time has come for
us to ensure that your operations are done per standards so that all your customers,
especially vehicle owners, will be happy with your operations and performance”.
At
a training workshop in Kumasi for identifiable members of the Garages in the
Northern sector, some of the mechanics have employed the DVLA to ensure
adequate availability of the mandated seat belts.
The
DVLA says it has initiated a procurement process, in collaboration with the
Garaged, to purchase the requisite seatbelts to be fitted in the over 500,000
commercial vehicles in the system.
Transport
operators would be required to patronize the certified garages in fitting the
seatbelts.
According
to Mr. Beckley, the various transport unions are spearheading the public
education process on the installation and use of the seatbelts.
The
DVLA has ceased registering new vehicles without seat belts since 1st
September, 2014.
The
Authority, together with the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) is increasing
public education for the enforcement of the use of seatbelts to commerce on 1st
December, 2015.
The
police command has stated its resolve to leave no stone unturned in enforcing the
installation of seat belts in commercial vehicles.
Ashanti
Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kofi Boakye, says there will be no fear nor
favour in the implementation of the law.
Story
by Kofi Adu Domfeh
No comments:
Post a Comment