MTTD officials engaged in road sensitisation exercise
Over the years there have been incessant road traffic deaths due to avoidable errors on the part of some drivers and commuters.
These untimely deaths do not only bring great pain to families for their loss but also costs the nation its valuable human resources.
However, the story is changing gradually following the implementation of interventions by the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA).
Data available to the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) reveal the country has recorded a reduction in road accidents from January to June 2023.
According to the data, a total of 6,904 road accidents were reported from January to June 2023 as against 7,687 cases reported in 2022 within the same period, indicating a decrease in road accidents.
The statistics reveal that the first half of the year recorded 11,763 vehicles involved in road accidents as compared to 13,248 vehicles involved in 2022 within the same period. 1,086 people died in 2023, whereas 2022 saw a higher number of 1,300 killed.
Additionally, injured persons recorded a decrease of 7,807 in 2023, whilst 8,007 injured persons were recorded in 2022. Pedestrian knockdowns were reduced in 2023 indicating a record of 1,205 as compared to 1,356 pedestrian knockdowns reported in 2022.
On the regional front, Greater Accra recorded the highest number of road accidents with 2,886 cases followed by Ashanti Region with 1,619 cases. Eastern Region recorded 711 cases, Central, 492 and Western, 374.
North East recorded 28 cases while Oti region recorded 23 cases from January to June this year.
NRSA Public Relations Officer, Pearl Adusu Sateckla, says all categories of road accidents have been reduced; persons killed, injured, and pedestrian knockdowns have all decreased from January to June 2023 compared to 2022.
She expresses satisfaction and indicated that the reduced figures are a result of measures the NRSA is implementing.
Mrs. Sateckla mentions that the NRSA is working and partnering with several organizations to help in the reduction and if possible bring to an end road accident.
One of such awareness program happened on the 16th of June, 2023 in collaboration with VULCO where tyre assessments were conducted as well as road safety sensitization.
Again, Road Safety in conjunction with BIGRS Ghana engaged pedestrians by observing their crossing behaviours and educating them on safe road use at Lapaz, in the Greater Accra Region.
Earlier this year as part of the Stay Alive for Easter Road Safety activities, road safety education and enforcement were carried out on the N6 by a joint NRSA & Ghana Police Service MTTD team.
Mrs. Sateckla says these interventions implemented with several collaborations from stake holders brought about the reduction. She also adds that the “STAY ALIVE” Campaign by the NRSA is one of the contributing factors.
She states that the NRSA in collaboration with other stakeholders have more innovative interventions such as Trafitech, Transport Ghana and the likes which will happen hopefully before the end of the year.
Mrs. Sateckla is of the view that should the public adhere to safety rules and regulations road accidents can drastically be reduced.
Muna Balaraba Mohammed (munamunaj0411@gmail.com)