road accidents

A security vehicle this morning when driving towards the New Town area was trying to avoid potholes when the driver veered off the road near Smugglers Inn and Tusbab Secondary School.

According to the driver of Willrops Security, he was driving down the junction towards Madang Technical and Maritime College when he encountered an oncoming vehicle driving at high speed while attempting to avoid potholes on the road.

“My appeal to road users accessing roads in Central Province to be mindful of their own safety because there are chances for more accidents during the NGE period.

“Let us be considerate with our actions. Do not drink and drive.”

He made this statement after an accident along the Hiritano Highway, near Laloki involving a PMV bus and truck this week.

“Investigations now confirm that the driver of the PMV bus was under the influence of alcohol.

“A passenger was seriously injured while the rest were traumatized and suffered minor injuries,” he added.

The concern raised this week by Senior Sergeant Thomas Akasiki of Kerema Police Station comes as a result of more than 50 cases of road accidents reported so far a year after the Kerema-Malalaua road was opened last year.

He described the road having many corners and drivers ignoring the road signs and driving carelessly without consideration for the passengers they carry.

Akasiki also said despite efforts by the police and traffic officers in the province to curb the issue, there are still a number of cases reported each month.

25,189 accidents were recorded between 1992 and 2002 in Papua New Guinea.

The National Road Safety Authority CEO, Nelson Terema, revealed this today during the launching of Puma Energy’s one week road safety campaign, held a few kilometres away from Port Moresby.

Terema said the 10-year statistics was for year ending 2002, and expects an increase in the last four years.

He added that motor vehicle injuries total 2,189, from 25,189 accidents recorded.