Traffic offences rising

Reports by MIRIAM ZARRIGA
SINCE January, 479 traffic accidents were reported in Port Moresby, with 325 investigations completed and 172 pending.
From the reported accidents, 251 people were arrested for various offences.
This has prompted the National Capital District police to embark on a “traffic violations interventions” in the city, with emphasis on various traffic rules that have been blatantly ignored by many road users leading to deaths and damage to properties, Met Supt Perou N’dranou said.
Since last week, NCD traffic officers were stationed at some traffic lights in the city.
“The onus is on vehicle owners, drivers and pedestrians to behave responsibly and to observe traffic rules. Failing that will result in traffic violations which usually lead to damage of properties and high loss of lives,” Supt N’dranou said.
From the 479 accidents reported, 28 were fatal accidents (6 hit and run), 17 serious accidents with 17 injured and hospitalised.
There were 125 minor injuries (13 of them hit and run), seven police accidents and 302 minor accidents, resulting in damage.
“Since the drivers in NCD are becoming reckless and dangerous to other road users, police effort are to re-educate them on their responsibilities and enforce the appropriate laws in regards to proper and safe ways to use the public road/streets.
“We are a looking to achieve a good outcome where our streets will be safe for all road users including pedestrians.”