NRSA to Install Speed Limiters in Vehicles to Curb Road Crashes
By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh
The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has announced plans to introduce speed limiters in all vehicles across Ghana. This is a bold move to address the rising number of road crashes in the country.
The initiative, which will be rolled out in partnership with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), is part of a broader strategy to combat road traffic accidents, many of which have been linked to excessive speeding.
According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 1.2 million people die globally each year as a result of road traffic accidents. In Ghana, speeding remains one of the leading contributors to these fatalities.
In Ghana, between January and March 2024, a total of 609 people lost their lives in road crashes. However, for the same period in 2025, the number of fatalities has risen sharply to 752, representing a 23.5% increase.
In addition to the rise in deaths, pedestrian knockdowns have also gone up by approximately 13.4%, while the number of people injured in road crashes has increased by 12.1% over the same timeframe.
The NRSA says the installation of speed limiters is expected to significantly curb speeding and enhance road safety. The devices are designed to automatically restrict a vehicle’s speed to a set limit, reducing the likelihood of high-speed collisions.
Head of Corporate Affairs at the NRSA, Simbiat Wiredu, explained the rationale behind the policy during an interview on Zed FM’s Business Breakfast show.
“We are taking this step to save lives. The evidence is clear, speeding kills. By installing speed limiters in vehicles, especially commercial ones, we are not only enforcing compliance but also protecting passengers and other road users,” Ms. Wiredu said.
She added that enforcement of the initiative will be supported by rigorous monitoring and collaboration with stakeholders, particularly the DVLA, which will oversee the technical aspects of the installation.
Ms. Simbiat expressed concern over the alarming trend, noting that the country has recorded more than a 15% increase in both road crash cases and fatalities. She highlighted that key contributing factors include pedestrian knockdowns, excessive speeding, and incidents involving motorbikes.
The announcement has received mixed reactions from sections of the public, with some transport operators welcoming the move, while others are calling for more engagement and education before implementation.
Over the years, both the NRSA and civil society organizations have conducted various campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding. However, despite these efforts, road crashes remain a persistent public safety issue in Ghana. The NRSA believes that with the mandatory use of speed limiters, the country can take a significant step toward achieving its long-term goal of reducing traffic fatalities and injuries.
