The Upper East Region has reported a steady number of road accident fatalities for the first half of 2024, with 35 deaths recorded between January and June—unchanged from the same period last year.
However, the region has seen a notable decrease in road traffic injuries and crashes during this timeframe.
John Quarshie, the regional Public Relations Officer for the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), shared these figures with Asaase News.
According to Quarshie, the region experienced a 33.72% reduction in injuries, from 86 in the first half of 2023 to 57 this year. These injuries range from minor cuts and bruises to more serious conditions like fractures and head injuries.
Road crashes dropped by 41.81%, from 85 incidents in 2023 to 50 in 2024.
Quarshie attributed the improvement to residents’ increased adherence to road safety regulations, which include speed limits, seat belt usage, and the prohibition of drunk driving.
“This demonstrates that the public is following our guidelines. Road safety is a collective responsibility. Without cooperation from the public, achieving our safety goals would be impossible,” he said.
To further enhance road safety, the NRSA plans to establish district road safety committees in all 15 districts and municipalities in the Upper East Region. These committees will be responsible for identifying local road safety issues, proposing solutions, and implementing safety measures at the grassroots level.
Currently, 11 committees have been formed, with nine already inaugurated and operational.
These committees will undergo training and certification to collaborate effectively with local assemblies.
“We aim to implement road safety measures from the grassroots level rather than a top-down approach,” Quarshie noted.
Looking ahead, the NRSA is also preparing to engage political leaders in the region as part of its efforts to mitigate the surge in road accidents often associated with election periods.
“Our data shows an increase in road crashes during election campaigns.
We plan to meet with political leaders and train dispatch riders to ensure safer practices during campaigns and related activities,” Quarshie added.
