As Ghanaians prepare for the Easter festivities, the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has warned that human error remains the leading cause of road traffic crashes in the country, with speeding, inattentiveness, and loss of control topping the list.
Deputy Director of Research at NRSA, Mr Gabriel Adu-Sarpong, revealed that data from the Ghana Police Service indicate that about 90 per cent of crashes are linked to human factors, with speeding alone accounting for 38 to 40 per cent of incidents. “Speed-related factors contribute to nearly six out of every 10 crashes,” he said during a sensitisation exercise along the Aburi–Mampong–Mamfe road in the Eastern Region on Wednesday.
The exercise forms part of a nationwide Visibility Programme being conducted by NRSA in collaboration with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) to educate road users ahead of the Easter holidays. The campaign, which started on March 30 and runs through April 7, targets all road users, including commercial and private drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.
Key messages of the campaign include adhering to speed limits, wearing seatbelts and helmets, avoiding distracted or impaired driving, and practising defensive driving. Mr Adu-Sarpong emphasised that drivers should adapt to road conditions, anticipate hazards, and consider their vehicles’ condition when determining safe speeds.
He also clarified speed limits under different conditions: 30 km/h in residential or busy areas, 50 km/h on highways passing through settlements, 90 km/h on major highways outside towns, and 100 km/h on motorways. “Even when speed limits exist, they are maximum thresholds, not always safe speeds for all conditions,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Samuel Sasu-Mensah, Director of Operations at MTTD, noted that the exercise prioritises education over enforcement, although Police personnel will be deployed to identified hotspots during the festive period. He urged all road users to celebrate responsibly and adhere to traffic regulations.
“With more vehicles on the road during Easter, exposure to risk increases, which is why education and vigilance are critical,” Dr Adu-Sarpong added. The NRSA and MTTD stressed that defensive driving and awareness can prevent crashes even under poor road conditions and inadequate signage.
