Accra: Mr. Gabriel Adu-Sarpong, Deputy Director of Research at the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), has identified speeding, inattentiveness, and loss of control as the top three contributors to road traffic crashes in Ghana. He stated that data from the Ghana Police Service indicated that about 90 percent of road traffic crashes were due to human error, with speeding accounting for between 38 and 40 percent.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Adu-Sarpong made this disclosure during a sensitization exercise along the Aburi-Mampong-Mamfe road in the Eastern Region. He highlighted that speed-related factors contributed to nearly 60 percent of crashes, suggesting that about six out of every 10 crashes were linked to speeding.
The exercise is part of an ongoing Visibility Programme by the NRSA in collaboration with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service. This initiative aims to intensify road safety education and enforcement, especially along high-risk corridors ahead of the Easter festivities. The nationwide campaign, which started on March 30, will conclude on April 7, 2026, and is being conducted on major highways like Accra-Cape Coast, Accra-Suhum-Kumasi, Accra-Aflao, Akosombo-Ho, Aburi-Akropong, and Accra-Suhum-Bonso.
The campaign targets all categories of road users, including commercial drivers, private motorists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians, with key messages focusing on compliance with speed limits and traffic regulations, the use of seatbelts and helmets, and the avoidance of distracted and impaired driving.
Mr. Adu-Sarpong, who is coordinating the third day of the campaign, emphasized that the day's focus was on speeding, which remains a major risk factor in road crashes. He urged drivers to adopt defensive driving practices despite poor road conditions and inadequate signage to help reduce road traffic crashes.
He explained that defensive driving required motorists to anticipate hazards and adjust their behavior accordingly, considering road conditions, traffic flow, and the actions of other road users. He also stressed the importance of knowing the condition of one's vehicle, including tyres and braking systems, to determine appropriate speeds.
Mr. Adu-Sarpong clarified that speed limits represent maximum thresholds and not necessarily safe speeds under all conditions, advising drivers to reduce speed in residential or busy areas and on highways passing through settlements.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr. Samuel Sasu-Mensah, Director of Operations at the MTTD, stated that the exercise was primarily focused on education rather than enforcement. He mentioned that police personnel would be deployed to Kwahu in the Eastern Region and other identified hotspots during the Easter celebrations to ensure compliance with road safety regulations, urging all road users to prioritize safety and celebrate Easter responsibly.