Some residents of Sekondi-Takoradi against seat belt law

Some residents in Sekondi-Takoradi have vowed to resist the enforcement of the Road Traffic Regulation that mandates every motor vehicle to be fitted with seat belts.

The law, which was passed in 2O12 by Parliament, is being enforced by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), beginning from September 1, this year.

The Road Traffic Regulation, 2O12, (L.I 218O Regulation 119 and 12O provides for the use and fitting of seat belts in every vehicle.

However, some drivers and passengers in the metropolis have expressed strong reservation against the enforcement of the law, saying it would create a lot of inconvenience for passengers and motorists.

Madam Efua Egyirba, a passenger, told the GNA in Takoradi that she sometimes boards the vehicle with three of her children therefore she cannot afford to occupy each of the children on one seat because it will increase the cost of her transport fare.

She added that seat belts could also create discomfort for passengers because any time a passenger is alighting from the vehicle one has to remove the belt which could delay them on their way home.

She also observed that most commercial vehicles had been designed in such a way that passengers find it difficult keeping their legs a little apart due to the closeness of the seat arrangements.

Mr. Francis Ofosu, a commercial driver, told the GNA that most of the vehicles are second hand and that they were not fitted with seat belts especially at the back seats coupled with non-availability of seat belts on the market would inconvenience their work.

He therefore entreated the DVLA and other implementing institutions to intensify the education on the seat belt legislation in order to convince both passengers and motorists to comply.

Mr. James Kwofie, a Civil Servant, observed that most commercial vehicles had been re-designed to increase the passenger seats, which posed a lot of danger to commuters and blamed the DVLA for granting those vehicles roadworthy certificates to operate.

Meanwhile, Nana Ekua, an Assistant Planning Officer at the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) has noted that, wearing of seat belts will offer protection to passengers and would not be thrown out of the vehicle in the event of a sudden halt or head-on collision.

She added that it would reduce fatalities and injuries during motor accidents and reduced the risk of passengers’ contact with the interior parts of the vehicle.

She warned that motorists who refused to comply with the directive would be sanctioned in accordance with the law.

SOURCE: GNA