NSRC to train volunteers to manage crash victims

Accra, Ghana- The National Road Safety Commission (NSRC) is in the process of training volunteers in accidents prone areas on Post Crash management to mitigate the deaths toll and disability.
Mrs May Obiri-Yeboah, Director, Planning and Programmes of NSRC added, "For it has been found that improper and unprofessional handling of crash victims could further worsen their plights".
Speaking at a sensitization forum organized by the Ghana Mental Health Association (GMHA) in collaboration with GPRTU and the NSRC, Mrs Obiri-Yeboah said government was also considering building Trauma Centres on major highways as a more efficient approach to dealing with emergencies on the road.
The theme: "Mental Health and Road Crashes" was chosen to create awareness on psycho-social effect of crashes as well as it economic and cost implications on the individual, families and the nation as a whole.
Mrs Obiri-Yeboah said 1600 people died annually of road crashes and over 1000 injured. The cost of crashes to the country is estimated at 165 million dollars.
"Indeed it will be difficult to divorce mental health from road crashes as the resultant trauma, stress and distress suffered by the crash victims may have serious implication for mental stability", she added.
She noted that road safety was a shared responsibility, "and we are counting on your support to achieve the vision of making our roads transportation the safest in Africa".
Dr Akwasi Osei, Chief Psychiatrist, Accra Psychiatric Hospital called on the DVLA to include Epilepsy Test in addition to eye before licensing any driver.
He reiterated that 90 per cent of crashed were born out of human errors and advised drivers in particular to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
Dr Osei noted that Ghana was ranked second in terms of crashes adding, "Though Ghana is always first, it doesn't have to be first in crashes".
Rev Godson Akpalu, President of GMHA said actions of the driver on the road was important in ensuring safety adding, "With all the improvement made on our road safety assurance scheme, we expect drastic reduction in the number of accidents".
He added that the mental condition of drivers was therefore imperative.
Rev Akpalu urged drivers to be discipline especially on the road.