The most common means of commuting, especially, in Ghanaian cities and towns is by private commercial vehicles, popularly known as ‘trotro’.
For most people, however the condition and safety in these vehicles remain major concerns.
From rusty metal on the outside and exposed angle iron framed seats, passengers have suffered one form of injury or the other.
The least ordeal they suffer is damage to their clothing when they come into contact with exposed, sometimes, sharp metal.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority is mandated to check and certify roadworthiness of all vehicles in Ghana.
There are, however, questions about the condition of some commercial vehicles with the required clearance to ply the roads and more importantly carry passengers.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority’s mission states, ‘to ensure the use of the best practices for licensing drivers and vehicles to promote road safety and environmental sustainability, while pursuing integrity, excellence, professionalism and reliability in service delivery.”
Is the DVLA living up to its mission enough to protect road users?
Vehicle owners, commercial drivers and by extension transport unions have a responsibility to ensure their vehicles are in good shape for public safety.
But some of them shirk their responsibility at the expense of passenger comfort and safety.
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, Nana Nimako Bresiamah says the leadership is aware of such vehicles on our roads.
He noted, however, once the mandated body has certified them, there is little the union can do.
Competition is supposed to give people options for choices. Why then do people patronize ‘tro-tros’ even when there is clear evidence they are in bad shape? Well, your guess is as good as mine.
