The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has issued a call for greater responsibility among citizens when using the roads as a means to mitigate the prevalence of road traffic accidents in the country. Victor Kojo Bilson, Western Regional Head of NRSA, emphasized that human-related factors, such as negligence and over-speeding, contribute to over 90% of road crashes, making it imperative for road users to prioritize their personal safety.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Bilson underscored the significance of road users taking control of their safety. He commented in response to a report highlighting a rise in road traffic crashes recorded in the region.

During the first half of 2023, the Western Region experienced a slight increase in road traffic crashes compared to the same period the previous year. A total of 374 road crashes were documented between January and June 2023, as opposed to 354 during the equivalent period in 2022, representing a 20-incident rise.

Bilson attributed the crashes to a combination of human, mechanical, and engineering factors, with human negligence playing a predominant role. He stressed, “The number one enforcers of road safety protocols are the users taking personal responsibility, because if that one fails, then every other system fails.”

In light of this, Bilson appealed to road users to strictly adhere to established safety regulations, thereby curbing the escalating rate of accidents. He further urged various stakeholders, including the media, to collaborate with NRSA’s efforts in promoting road safety best practices and reducing accident occurrences.