MTN Ghana has organized a road safety sensitization training for its fleet drivers to enhance their understanding of traffic regulations, responsible driving and their obligations as road users.
The initiative forms part of the telecommunications company’s broader commitment to promoting road safety and reducing accidents involving corporate and commercial vehicles.
The training, held in collaboration with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Ghana Police Service’s Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), targets MTN staff and drivers, including executives and other employees who operate company vehicles.
Speaking during the programme, Acting Director for Vehicle Inspection and Registration at the DVLA, Mr. Kwesi Bona-Otuo Serebour, said the training was intended to educate drivers on road traffic laws and expected standards before they commit offences.
He said it was important for companies to educate their drivers proactively rather than waiting until they were arrested or penalised for traffic violations.
Mr. Serebour encouraged other corporate institutions to emulate MTN Ghana by regularly training their drivers on road safety, traffic regulations and compliance.
He noted that drivers who violate traffic regulations could increasingly be identified through electronic systems and issued fines, as Ghana strengthens its digital traffic enforcement mechanisms.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Alexander Obeng, Director in charge of Education, Research and Cleaning at the MTTD/Police Secretary’s Office, said the Ghana Police Service was adopting both proactive and reactive approaches to improve road safety and protect lives and property.
He said the Police Service was collaborating with corporate organisations, ministries and government agencies to promote safe vehicle use, responsible driving and improved road safety practices.
According to ACP Obeng, fleet owners and corporate drivers require regular training in road safety knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies to help prevent road crashes.
He further disclosed that Ghana is transitioning towards digital traffic enforcement following amendments to road traffic legislation and the introduction of new mandates involving the Police Service, DVLA, National Insurance Commission and the National Road Safety Authority.
He said the new digital traffic enforcement system, known as Traffic-type GH, would enable police officers to use cameras, smartphones and PDA devices to capture evidence of traffic offences without necessarily arresting offenders or taking them to police stations.
Offences including excessive speeding and other traffic violations can be digitally recorded against a driver’s licence or a vehicle’s registration.
ACP Obeng said the training was therefore also aimed at helping corporate drivers understand the emerging digital policing system and the need for greater compliance with traffic regulations.
The collaboration between MTN Ghana, the DVLA and the MTTD has been ongoing, with the partnership between the company and the two institutions beginning around October/November last year. MTN has also indicated plans to involve other regulatory bodies, including insurance companies, in future training programmes.
Source:Fiilafmonline/Walkiyatu Issahaku
