Western Region Road Safety records sharp drop in road crashes

By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY, Takoradi

The Western Region has recorded a significant decline of road traffic crashes and related casualties in the first half of 2025, according to provisional statistics from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA).

The data, covering January to June 2025, show a decrease across all key indicator cases reported, vehicles involved, persons killed and injured compared to the same period last year.

Persons injured saw the most dramatic reduction, plunging -91.67 percent followed by cases reported -61.19 percent and persons killed -61.05%. Pedestrian knockdowns also dropped by 21.21 percent while vehicles involved in crashes fell by 13.96 percent.

“Despite the progress, these figures remain unacceptable as preventable crashes continue to claim lives and destroy property.” Victor Kojo Bilson, Western Regional Head-National Road Safety Authourity, gave the statistics in an interview with B&FT.

	Jan – June, 2025	Jan – June, 2024	Percentage (%) Change
Cases Reported	371	598	-61.19
Vehicles Involved	530	604	-13.96
Persons Killed	95	153	-61.05
Persons Injured	240	460	-91.67
Pedestrian Knockdowns	66	80	-21.21

 

Of 371 total crash cases recorded during the period, minor crashes accounted for the majority with 42.59% followed by serious crashes 35.85% and fatal crashes 21.56%.

Total Number of Cases Reported
Western Region	Fatal	Serious	Minor
Number	80	133	158
Percentage (%)	21.56	35.85	42.59

 

He explained that commercial vehicles were most involved in crashes – 207 cases for 39.06%; followed closely by private vehicles which had 197 cases; and motor/tricycles with 126 cases. All categories recorded marginal decreases compared to the same period in 2024.

Category	Jan – June 2025	Proportion of Vehicles Involved in Crashes	Jan – June 2024	Proportion of Vehicles Involved in Crashes	Percentage (%) Change
Commercial	207	39.06	231	38.25	-11.59
Private	197	37.17	230	38.08	-16.75
Motor/Tricycles	126	23.77	143	23.68	-13.49
Total	530	100.00	604	100.00

 

Human factors

He identified speeding, distractive driving, alcohol & substance abuse and driver fatigue as persistent causes of road traffic crashes in the region – emphasising that most of these are human-related and preventable.

“Engineering also plays a key role with respect to safety on our roads; we are calling for greater collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure proper maintenance of road infrastructure,” he added.

The Regional Head of NRSA expressed concern over the wanton disregard for traffic laws by motorcyclists and tricycle operators – particularly at junctions and intersections – which continues to cause avoidable deaths and injuries.

Enforcement and interventions

To curb the trend, he mentioned that NRSA – in collaboration with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service and the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Authority (DVLA) has been conducting Coordinated Compliance Operations (CCOs) along critical sections of major roads in the region.

These operations, he said, aim to educate road users and ensure compliance with approved minimum safety standards under the Regulations, Inspection and Compliance (RIC) Directorate.

Policy and future plans

Mr. Bilson said the Authourity is working with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) through District Road Safety Committees (DRSCs) to decongest city centres and clear pedestrian walkways, particularly within major business districts.

The Authority has also intensified public education campaigns through media engagements and community outreach programmes, focusing on the use of seatbelts, helmets and stressing the importance of pre-departure checks at transport terminals.

Collective responsibility

He called on the public and media to sustain awareness on road safety, emphasising that road safety is a shared responsibility.

“Enhanced reporting of issues relating to road safety will help reduce the unacceptable level of road accidents,” he noted.

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