The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has recorded a relative calm on Ghana’s roads during the Christmas festivities, with no major road crashes reported between December 24 and 26, a development authorities say marks an improvement on previous years.
Speaking on News Desk, the Director-General of the NRSA, Abraham Amaliba, said the reduction in serious crashes during the peak festive period was encouraging, even as road safety remains a major national concern.
“I’m happy to announce that at least during the Yuletide, especially the 24th, 25th and 26th, we’ve not had any major accident as compared to the previous years. That, for me, is a good thing,” he said.
Mr Amaliba attributed many road crashes in Ghana to a combination of human and systemic factors, particularly excessive speeding, disregard for traffic regulations, and inadequate driver training.
“Over-speeding is one. Then you have non-compliance with road regulations. The third one could be attributed to the fact that some motorists or drivers have not been given any training whilst they apply their trade,” he explained.
His comments come against the backdrop of troubling road safety statistics released by the NRSA.
Data from January to November show that 13,320 road crashes were recorded nationwide, resulting in more than 2,600 deaths during the period.
The figures highlight the persistent dangers on Ghana’s roads, despite ongoing public education campaigns and enforcement efforts by the police and road safety agencies.
Road safety continues to be a critical national issue, particularly during festive seasons when traffic volumes increase due to intercity travel, social events, and commercial transport activities.
Authorities have often warned that reckless driving during such periods significantly raises the risk of fatal accidents.
The NRSA says it will continue working with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), transport unions, and other stakeholders to intensify driver education, enforce traffic laws, and promote safer driving practices as the country heads into the New Year.
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