Road Crashes in Accra Decrease by 22% in 2022 – Report
In a significant stride towards enhancing road safety, Accra witnessed a commendable 22% decrease in road traffic crashes in 2022, as revealed by the Accra Road Safety Report launched on Tuesday by the Mayor of Accra, Elizabeth Kwatsoe Sackey.
The report, produced in collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), Ghana Police Service, Vital Strategies, and the Ghana National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), highlighted key statistics and insights.
The latest statistics disclosed a decline in road traffic crashes and related fatalities, with reported incidents reducing from 1,808 in 2021 to 1,416 in 2022—a 22% decrease.
Correspondingly, road traffic deaths decreased from 123 in 2021 to 102 in 2022, reflecting a 17% decline.
Vulnerable road users, comprising pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists, constituted 77% of the reported fatalities in 2022.
The report further identified males accounting for 82% of road traffic deaths and 74% of serious injuries, with the highest proportion of deaths recorded among individuals aged 20 to 29 years.
Pedestrians represented 55% of the reported fatalities in 2022, with fatalities predominantly occurring between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Additionally, the report identified high-risk fatal crash locations, including Avenor Junction along J. A Kufuor Avenue and Opeibea intersection along Liberation Road.
An observational study on speeding in October 2022 revealed a 43% prevalence of speeding in Accra, indicating a need for targeted interventions in this area.
Speaking at the launch, Mayor Sackey stressed the need to sustain efforts to drastically reduce road traffic deaths.
She expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their collective actions and support, which contributed to the notable reduction in road traffic crashes and deaths.
Acting Director General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Ing. David Osafo Adonteng, commended the AMA for its consistent efforts in producing informative reports over the years.
He highlighted the importance of the report as a tool for road crash prevention, providing valuable insights into the scale and impact of road deaths and injuries.
Dr. Raphael Awuah, Regional Technical Advisor (Africa) on Road Injury Surveillance at Vital Strategies, emphasized the significance of understanding the demographics and circumstances surrounding road deaths for effective intervention strategies.
The Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), a key collaborator in the endeavor, works with leading road safety organizations worldwide to design strategies and implement activities in coordination with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.
As Accra celebrates the reduction in road traffic crashes and fatalities, the launch of the Accra Road Safety Report serves as a testament to the city’s ongoing commitment to improving road safety outcomes and protecting its residents.
