Ensuring safety on our roads this festive season requires a collective responsibility

The approaching festive season presents unprecedented road safety challenges due to increased traffic, celebration-related distractions, and potential congestion from social events. Between January and September 2024, over 1,800 road fatalities were recorded, representing an 8.35% increase from the previous year. These statistics reflect the heartbreaking reality behind every number—children, parents, and siblings who will never return to their loved ones. The festive period, often referred to as “Detty December,” creates a risky environment where social and political excitement leads to risky driving behaviors, resulting in tragic accidents.

During this time, individuals often use vehicles for social expression, engaging in dangerous activities like riding on top of moving cars, creating street processions, and performing stunts. Young motorcycle riders frequently transform public roads into venues for reckless displays of skill, often riding without helmets and carrying excessive passengers. According to the World Health Organization, vulnerable road users, especially pedestrians and motorcycle riders, are at a greater risk of injury in traffic collisions, particularly in lower-income countries like Ghana.

Road accidents have a devastating impact not only on victims but also on their families and society as a whole. An analysis by the WHO highlights that road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for individuals aged 15-29, emphasizing that the loss of productive citizens hinders national development. Victims’ families face emotional turmoil and financial burdens; survivors of road accidents often require long-term care that places additional strain on already struggling households. One widow lamented, “He was our source of hope and support. Now, I am left alone to figure out how to pay school fees for my children while battling my injuries.”

Nationally, Ghana incurs billions in losses due to healthcare expenses, loss of human capital, and property damage. A motorcycle accident survivor recounted, “The costs are overwhelming—surgeries, medication, and therapy. I had to sell my land to keep going.” The loss of skilled professionals and future leaders is particularly troubling.

Ghana’s healthcare system struggles to cope with the influx of road accident victims, especially during the festive season. The WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023 indicates that healthcare systems must be prepared to handle surge capacities during holidays. Health facilities during these times face overcrowding, critically straining emergency services. A healthcare worker noted, “During holidays, it’s almost certain we’ll see a rise in road accident cases’’. Patients often come in with severe injuries—broken bones, internal bleeding, and sometimes in critical conditions where we can’t save them despite our best efforts.” Limited resources lead to treatment delays, exacerbating health complications and increasing mortality rates.

Driving under the influence of alcohol remains a significant cause of road accidents in Ghana. Alcohol impairs essential faculties for safe driving, leading to poor coordination, delayed reaction times, and reduced concentration. Even small amounts of alcohol can result in overconfidence, prompting drivers to take unnecessary risks. Many survivors express regret for their decisions influenced by alcohol, which is often culturally normalized during celebrations. One driver reflected, “I thought I was in control, but one drink led to this nightmare. I lost my friend in that crash.”

To ensure safety in this festive season, the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), in collaboration with the Motor Traffic Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service and other agencies, must enhance the enforcement of traffic laws, including speeding and seatbelt use. Regular roadside checks and increased penalties for violations can deter reckless driving. Additionally, improving road infrastructure—such as repairing potholes, enhancing road markings, and upgrading traffic management systems—is essential for enhancing safety.

Many road traffic crashes and accidents occur when passengers renege on their responsibility as key stakeholders in ensuring safe travels on our roads. Passengers are strongly encouraged to speak up when drivers engage in irresponsible behaviors such as over-speeding, drunk driving, or smoking while driving. It is essential to hold drivers accountable and demand responsible actions including encouraging drivers to slow down, reporting to security officers at the nearest tolls/bus stations/terminals, taking a smartphone to record misconduct, encouraging other passengers to threaten drivers of disembarking, etc. By doing so, passengers can play a vital role in preventing road accidents and protecting themselves and others from becoming victims of road carnages, especially during this festive season.

Public awareness campaigns focusing on road safety, including the dangers of drunk driving, must be spearheaded. Engagement with drivers, pedestrians, community advocacy groups, and youth programs to promote safer behaviors is critical. According to the WHO, effective public communication campaigns can significantly reduce road traffic injuries and fatalities.

Road safety is a collective responsibility that transcends individual actions; every life saved is a victory for the community. This festive season calls for commitment to prioritizing safety, responsibility, and respect on our roads. Together, we can prevent tragedies and ensure a safe, joyful celebration.

Source: ghananewsonline.com.gh