By Austin Agyenim Boateng
Between January and September this year, 1,817 lives have been lost through road accidents. An 8.35 per cent increase on the 1,677 lives lost during the same period in 2023, according to the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA).
Notably, however, the total number of road crashes has decreased, with 9,820 incidents reported this year, representing a 7.48 per cent drop from 10,614 last year.
The Public Relations Officer for the NRSA, Pearl Adusu Sateckla, who revealed this in an interview, expressed concern over the rising death toll and urged citizens to comply with road traffic laws.
The NRSA reports that from January to September, 11,408 individuals sustained injuries in road crashes, down from 11,694 in the same timeframe last year.
Additionally, 1,750 pedestrians have been struck this year, compared to 1,847 in 2023. These statistics are from the 9,820 crashes this year, a decline from 10,614 the previous year, involving 16,627 vehicles compared to 18,056 in 2023.
Pearl Adusu Sateckla attributed these improvements to increased compliance with traffic regulations and collaborative efforts by the NRSA and its partner.
With the 2024 elections and the Yuletide season approaching, Sateckla reassured the public that the NRSA is actively working to reduce road accidents.
To further promote road safety education, Sateckla announced the formation of district road safety management committees in all 16 regions, with approximately 82 per cent of this initiative complete. The NRSA PRO urged drivers and all road users to exercise caution and adhere to speed limits.