The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) is proposing a reduction in the minimum age for operating commercial motorcycles from 25 to 21 years under planned amendments to the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683).
According to the Authority, the proposal is intended to reflect current socio-economic realities while creating more employment opportunities for young people.
Bismark Elorm Sackitey, Planning Manager of the NRSA in Ho, said the move would also ensure that younger riders are brought into a properly regulated and trained commercial motorcycle sector.
“The proposal is intended to create opportunities for the youth while ensuring proper regulation and training within the commercial motorcycle sector,” he said.
Mr Sackitey explained that the proposed changes are still going through the legislative process and will only become law after Parliament approves them.
He stressed that the amendments have not yet taken effect.
Beyond the proposed age reduction, the NRSA is also looking at broader road safety concerns, particularly drink-driving and excessive speeding.
Mr Sackitey described alcohol consumption among drivers as one of the leading causes of road crashes in the country.
He added that many passengers continue to complain about reckless driving, especially speeding and failure to obey road safety regulations.
To address these concerns, the Authority has set up a technical working group involving the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council and the Ghana Standards Authority.
The group is expected to review current road safety challenges and recommend practical measures to reduce accidents.
Mr Sackitey urged drivers, riders and passengers to cooperate with authorities, saying road safety depends on the actions of everyone who uses the roads.
