The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has rejected the claim by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) that the implementation of the seatbelt law would reduce road deaths and serious injuries.
They said that it was a fallacy intended to throw dust into the eyes of the general public, adding that seatbelts were not the only safeguards against road accidents and urged authorities to broaden their focus to cover other preventive measures.
Mr Robert Sarbah, Greater Accra Regional Chairman, made this known on Wednesday at a news conference at the Teachers Hall in Accra.
Mr Sarbah said in the developed world passengers who boarded intra-city (Trotro) buses were not required to put on seatbelts because there are some who even stand in those buses.
He expressed regret that as affected drivers: �our views on this matter were not sought� which he described as most unfortunate since the education had not gone down on the new regulation just like what happened in August 4, 1974 when Ghana moved from right to left drive.
He cited South Africa and Nigeria where fitting of seatbelts policy were introduced but proved to be impracticable and authorities had to be abandoned.
�This is a calculated attempt by DVLA to write-off most of our vehicles by denying the drivers road worthiness certificate since the authorities themselves are aware that seatbelts cannot be fitted in �Trotro� in Ghana,� Mr Sarbah said.
The Regional Chairman said new buses imported from Brazil for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) would have 35 sitting and 44 standing capacities, and �How could those standing use seatbelts while the Metro Mass Buses are already in the system.�
�Laws are not made to discriminate against the other, its effect should be holistic, especially when it comes to road safety,� Mr Sarbah said, adding that: �we want a level playing field with our competitors because what is good for the goose is good for the gander.�
Mr Sarbah accused the DVLA of deviating from its core mandate of vehicle registration and examination and deeply involved in buying and selling of road safety materials which they intended to supply, install and train identified personnel in fitting of seatbelts in vehicles.
The DVLA has announced that with effect from September new commercial vehicles meant for passenger transport services without seatbelts would not be registered.
It said from March 2015, the DVLA would not renew the road worthiness of commercial vehicles that do not have seatbelts which is line with Road Traffic Registration, 2012; L.I. 2180 that states: �A person shall not drive a motor vehicle unless the motor vehicle is fitted with a seatbelt.�
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