There are neither traffic signals nor traffic lights to assist pedestrians in crossing the major road in the Accra neighborhood of Sowutuom.
Residents claim that this has resulted in multiple accidents, particularly involving youngsters because there are schools nearby and crossing the road is a regular task for the students.
At Poloo Junction, the Norwegian Embassy painted a zebra crossing in an attempt to slow down the frequency of these incidents.
Since it was painted, the zebra crossing, according to the locals, has guaranteed politeness between passing cars and pedestrians.
“The painting of the zebra crossing has helped. This is because before the painting, crossing the road was difficult, especially for the pupils. Sometimes it took an adult to help them cross because of how dangerous it was. Although we have a zebra crossing now, the drivers must acknowledge it and stop anytime they see a pedestrian. The zebra crossing has been helpful and God bless those who painted it,” a mechanic in the area stated.
A pedestrian crossing with white stripes is known as a zebra crossing or a marked crosswalk.
A common road safety procedure that makes the environment safer for drivers is to stop cars at zebra crossings so that pedestrians can cross.
Driver Kofi, who works in Sowutuom and the surrounding areas, asked cars to yield to pedestrians whenever they are at a zebra crossing.
“I will urge my fellow drivers to be patient and allow pedestrians to cross at the zebra crossing because causing an accident by knocking someone at a zebra crossing will be the fault of the driver. Lives are precious hence drivers should not prioritise their quest for passengers over the lives of pedestrians,” he said.
In support of blogger Kobby Kyei’s “Respect Zebra Crossing” project, the Norwegian Embassy painted the zebra crossing.
