A total of 325 fire related accidents were recorded within the past two years, 761 in 1998 out of which, 117 were vehicular related.
A total of 686 cases were recorded in 1999 out of which, 128 were vehicular related.
Mr Tony Lawoe, Deputy Chief Fire Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, who disclosed this at the launch of this year’s Road Safety Awareness Campaign, said 80 cases have been recorded this year.
The campaign is on the theme: “Motorists have Consideration for Pedestrians and Pedal Cyclists”.
He said investigations have revealed that almost all the accidents were caused by carelessness and mentioned short circuit in wiring systems, leakage of petrol along fuel pipes and lack of attention on the part of welders as some other causes.
Mr Kwesi Abbey Sam, Chief Director of Ministry of Roads and Transport, said that at least six people die each day through road accident in Ghana.
He said 43 per cent of road accident victims are pedestrians with nearly half being children.
“The global scenario is not a very comfortable one either. It is estimated that each year one million people are killed and 10 to 15 million injured through road accidents globally,” he said.
“Out of this number, 16 per cent of those killed and 10 per cent of those injured are children under 15 years.”
Mr Sam said 75 per cent of these accidents occur in developing countries, adding that Ghana has a vehicular population of over 40,000 with an annual growth rate of 10 per cent.
