By Emmanuel Gamson
Takoradi, Nov. 03, GNA – Provisional statistics from the Western Regional Office of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) indicate a decline in road traffic crashes recorded in the region during the first nine months of 2026.
The data showed that reported crash cases fell by 7.5 per cent, from 559 between January and September 2025 to 520 during the same period in 2026.
A breakdown of the figures revealed that minor crashes accounted for 35.19 per cent of the total cases, while serious and fatal crashes constituted 33.85 per cent and 30.96 per cent, respectively.
According to the report, the number of vehicles involved in road crashes also declined by four per cent, from 832 in 2025 to 800 in 2026.
Similarly, the number of persons injured reduced by 8.47 per cent, from 397 in 2025 to 366 this year.
Pedestrian knockdowns remained unchanged at 96 cases for both 2025 and 2026 during the period under review.
However, the report recorded a 15.64 per cent increase in fatalities, rising from 151 deaths in 2025 to 179 in 2026.
Mr Victor Kojo Bilson, Western Regional Head of the NRSA, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that although the region recorded reductions in most road safety indicators, the Authority still considered the figures worrying because lives and property continued to be lost through preventable crashes.
He identified speeding, distracted driving, alcohol and substance abuse, and driver fatigue as some of the leading causes of road traffic crashes.
Mr Bilson said these human factors required stricter regulation and enforcement to improve road safety outcomes.
He noted that road engineering and infrastructure maintenance also played critical roles in ensuring safety and called on relevant authorities to maintain road networks across the region.
“With respect to motorcycles and tricycles, the riders disregard for traffic laws and regulations continues to play a worrying part to the high crashes and its related deaths and injuries especially at junctions and intersections,” he added.
On measures being implemented to reduce crashes, Mr Bilson said the NRSA, in collaboration with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and the National Insurance Commission (NIC), continued to undertake coordinated compliance and enforcement operations.
He explained that the exercises were aimed at educating road users and ensuring compliance with approved safety standards.
Mr Bilson described the piloting of the Traffitech GH system by the MTTD as one of the most significant road safety interventions in the region and the country.
“Piloting of the Traffitech GH system by the MTTD has been the biggest intervention in the region and the country as a whole, and the NRSA continues to engage the public on its implementation through media engagements, stakeholder meetings and sensitisation at transport terminals,” he said.
He said the NRSA continued to engage the public through media campaigns, stakeholder engagements and sensitisation programmes at transport terminals to promote awareness of the initiative.
On future plans, Mr Bilson said the Authority was working with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, District Road Safety Committees, the MTTD and transport unions to improve pedestrian safety and address illegal parking.
He said the interventions included decongesting central business districts and clearing pedestrian walkways to enhance safety for road users.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Emmanuel Gamson
Email: [email protected]