Road safety is a critical issue that affects individuals and communities alike, prompting institutions like the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and stakeholders to intensify efforts to reduce road crashes.
Through initiatives like the “Stay Alive” and “Arrival Life” campaigns, these stakeholders aim to create awareness, and enforce compliance among the general public.
The Western Regional Head of the NRSA, Mr. Victor Kojo Bilson emphasized the importance of empowering passengers to ensure drivers adhere to safe practices. He introduced the “Operation Comply” initiative, designed to complement the first pillar of the “Stay Alive” campaign. He emphasized;
“Pedestrians also [need] to play their part. As pedestrians, we are also part of the driving process until we get to our final destinations. So, we are also empowering them to speak up and not just be on board for being on board’s sake, because you have a contract with the driver to take you to your final destination. So, you try to keep the driver on his or her toes to probably go below the posted speed limit ’’
Mr. Victor Kojo Bilson Western Regional Head (NRSA)
Citing the law, he stressed the need for passengers to actively monitor drivers and encourage them to maintain safe speeds, especially under dusty and unfavorable weather conditions.
“It’s not about how fast we go; it’s about how safe we keep ourselves on our roads,” he stated, highlighting that compliance with speed limits can save lives without necessarily delaying journeys.
Road Safety and Reported Casualties
Moreover, the Central Regional Head of the NRSA, Ms. Linda Afotey- Annang shared vital statistics on road crashes, showcasing both progress and areas needing improvement.
“When you look at the casualty level, we have recorded 1,576 injuries in 2024 at the end of November, as against 1,721 in 2023, which is about an 8% reduction.
“Road safety is not just the work of drivers or the authorities. It involves everyone who uses the roads.’’
Ms. Linda Afotey- Annang Central Regional Head (NRSA)
However, She noted that when it comes to people who are dying on the road, 171 deaths were recorded in 2023 which is higher than that of November, 2024.
Highlighting the critical link between insurance and road safety, Mrs. Nicholina Adumuah-Ladzekpo, the Central Regional Head of the National Insurance Commission (NIC), urged passengers to consider the insurance status of vehicles before boarding.
“How we arrive is very critical. When it comes to road safety, there are a lot of things that come into play—the vehicle you are going to sit in, from insurance to regulations all [matters].”
Ms. Linda Afotey- Annang Central Regional Head (NRSA)
Mrs. Adumuah encouraged passengers to verify the validity of a vehicle’s insurance using a short code introduced four years ago.
“It’s just a matter of dialing *920*57#. You will get a prompt and then you are directed to follow the prompt to get to know the validity of the insurance of the car you’re going to sit in.’’
Mrs. Nicholina Adumuah-Ladzekpo Central Regional Head of the National Insurance Commission (NIC)
Through this initiative, the authority aims to instill a culture of vigilance among passengers, urging them to ensure drivers comply with safety measures.
With the holiday season festivities ongoing, the NRSA and its partners hope to see a significant reduction in road crashes.
Through their campaigns, they aim to foster a shared responsibility, where every road user contributes to ensuring their safety.
This Road safety initiative is a clarion call that demands active participation from all stakeholders, including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
Through initiatives like “Stay Alive” and “Operation Comply,” and with the support of tools like insurance verification systems, the NRSA is striving to make Ghana’s roads safer for all.
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