Baku:Western Region Provisional statistics from the Western Regional Office of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) indicate a decline in road traffic crashes recorded in the region during the first nine months of 2026. The data showed that reported crash cases fell by 7.5 percent, from 559 between January and September 2025 to 520 during the same period in 2026.
According to Ghana News Agency, a breakdown of the figures revealed that minor crashes accounted for 35.19 percent of the total cases, while serious and fatal crashes constituted 33.85 percent and 30.96 percent, respectively. The number of vehicles involved in road crashes also declined by four percent, from 832 in 2025 to 800 in 2026. Similarly, the number of persons injured reduced by 8.47 percent, from 397 in 2025 to 366 this year. However, pedestrian knockdowns remained unchanged at 96 cases for both 2025 and 2026 during the period under review. The report recorded a 15.64 percent increase in fatalities, rising from 151 deaths in 2025 to 179 in 2026.
Mr. Victor Kojo Bilson, Western Regional Head of the NRSA, explained that despite the reductions in most road safety indicators, the figures remain concerning due to the continued loss of lives and property through preventable crashes. He identified key causes of road traffic crashes as speeding, distracted driving, alcohol and substance abuse, and driver fatigue, which require stricter regulation and enforcement to improve safety outcomes. He also emphasized the importance of road engineering and infrastructure maintenance in ensuring safety and urged relevant authorities to maintain road networks across the region.
Mr. Bilson highlighted the role of motorcycles and tricycles, noting that riders' disregard for traffic laws contributes significantly to crashes and related deaths and injuries, especially at junctions and intersections. To combat these issues, the NRSA is collaborating with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and the National Insurance Commission (NIC) to conduct compliance and enforcement operations aimed at educating road users and ensuring adherence to safety standards.
A key intervention mentioned by Mr. Bilson is the piloting of the Traffitech GH system by the MTTD, described as one of the most significant road safety measures in the region and country. The NRSA is actively promoting awareness of this initiative through media engagements, stakeholder meetings, and sensitization at transport terminals.
Looking ahead, Mr. Bilson stated that the Authority is working with various bodies, including Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, District Road Safety Committees, the MTTD, and transport unions, to enhance pedestrian safety and address illegal parking. These efforts include decongesting central business districts and clearing pedestrian walkways to improve safety for road users.
Source Ghana News Agency