NRSA intensifies efforts to combat speeding on Ghana’s roads
By Christabel Oboshie ANNAN, Accra
The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has intensified efforts through coordinated enforcement and public awareness campaigns.
The objective is to address the alarming rate of speeding-related accidents.
The Authority undertook this initiative during a road safety campaign aimed at sensitizing and enforcing traffic regulations along the Suhum-Koforidua stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Road.
The campaign serves as a proactive measure to enhance road safety awareness and compliance among motorists during the Independence Day celebration.
The Director in charge of Planning and Programmes at NRSA, Martin Owusu Affram, urged drivers to prioritize strict adherence to speed limits across the country.
He stated that over 60% of crashes in Ghana are attributed to speeding, highlighting the urgency of the issue.
Mr Affram explained that despite the existence of speed limits ranging from 30km/h to 100km/h, motorists often fail to adhere to these regulations.
In collaboration with the Police Service, he said that NRSA has initiated the “Stay Alive” programme to curb this behavior.
The Director in charge of Planning and Programmes said that as part of the initiative, the authority deployed cameras along highways to monitor motorists’ behavior, capturing details such as number plates, speed, and seat belt usage.
“The recorded data is then reported to the police, leading to the identification and processing of violators,” he explained.
Affram emphasized that the dual approach of educating those within speed limits and taking legal action against those exceeding them is an effort that has been ongoing for over three years and serves as a precursor to the Traffic Tech – an automated speed enforcement program introduced by the police.
He added that in the near future, operational cameras at specific centers will transmit real-time speed data to a command center.
He noted that violators will be promptly notified through text messages or other forms of communication, and fines will be imposed on those exceeding the prescribed speed limits.
According to Affram, data collected during the recent field exercise by the NRSA has revealed alarming statistics, with some drivers reaching speeds of 90km/h in 50km/h zones and 149km/h in 90km/h stretches.
He stressed that the NRSA’s survey confirmed that more than 70-80% of motorists are exceeding speed limits on highways.
He urged motorists to prioritize adhering to speed limits, especially near settlements, and to anticipate human interventions in highly populated areas.
He noted that the NRSA remains committed to curbing speeding and enhancing road safety for all citizens.
The leader of the Police Speed Enforcement Team, DSP Richard Nyarko, encouraged drivers to go beyond mere compliance to ensure road safety.
He also educated drivers on the importance of adhering to speed limits and traffic regulations.
