NRSA, Police Intensify Nationwide Road Safety Visibility Programme

By Maame Efua Kwaduah

The National Road Safety Authority, in collaboration with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department, has begun a nationwide Visibility Programme to intensify road safety education and enforcement to promote safer road use across the country.

The programme, which is being carried out on major highways including the Accra–Aflao road, has been necessitated by the increasing trend of road traffic crashes and casualties, particularly along identified high-risk corridors.

Speaking during the exercise, the Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the National Road Safety Authority, Alexander Ayatah, said festive seasons such as Easter, Christmas and Eid are periods where road crashes usually increase due to excessive speeding, drink driving, fatigue and reckless driving.

According to him, the Authority is using the Easter period to intensify public education and enforcement to ensure an accident-free festive season.

He urged drivers to avoid speeding, drink driving, reckless driving and fatigue, stressing that every road user has a role to play in reducing accidents.

Mr. Ayatah also advised passengers to act as co-drivers by speaking up and cautioning drivers who drive recklessly, adding that road safety is a shared responsibility.

He noted that the Authority, together with the police and other stakeholders, will sustain the road safety education and enforcement campaign throughout the year and not only during festive seasons.

Mr. Ayatah, however, indicated that funding remains a major challenge to the Authority’s operations, explaining that some activities could not be carried out last year due to lack of funds, but the Authority has received some funding this year to continue the campaign.

He therefore called on government to invest more in road safety, stressing that the country cannot afford to continue losing its human resource to preventable road crashes.

According to him, road crashes have significant economic impact on the country, noting that Ghana loses a substantial portion of its Gross Domestic Product due to road traffic crashes each year.

He explained that investing in road safety will help save lives and protect the country’s human resource, which is critical for national development.

The nationwide Visibility Programme will focus on sensitising commercial drivers, private motorists, motorcyclists and pedestrians on best road safety practices, including compliance with speed limits, traffic regulations, seatbelt and helmet use, and the avoidance of distracted and impaired driving.

The National Road Safety Authority believes sustained education, enforcement and stakeholder collaboration will help reduce road crashes and casualties across the country.

On his part, Staff Officer at the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), DSP Oppong Kyekyeku, said the Police are prioritising both enforcement and public education to promote safer road use.

He urged drivers to strictly adhere to speed limits, stressing that motorists must not exceed designated limits on various roads.

DSP Oppong Kyekyeku also cautioned against the improper use of high beam lights at night, explaining that it impairs the visibility of oncoming drivers and increases the risk of accidents.

He further warned against reckless driving and dangerous overtaking, particularly among commercial drivers, noting that such behaviours continue to contribute significantly to road crashes.

He added that road users must remain disciplined and responsible at all times, emphasising that compliance with traffic regulations is key to reducing accidents and saving lives.