Data from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) show that election years record high cases of deaths through road crashes.
This has been blamed on the blatant disregard for road traffic regulations by supporters of political parties during the campaign period.
The NRSA explained that the high carnage on the roads in the heat of election campaign is also due to speeding and overloading of vehicles with party supporters.
According to statistics from the Authority, Ghana has recorded higher numbers of road crashes each election year since 2000 with injuries and deaths higher than non-election years.
The statistics
In 2016, 44 people died in 100 crashes involving 157 vehicles during the election period in December, representing a 15.6 per cent increase over the same period in 2015.
Likewise, in 2020, 44 persons died while 169 sustained injuries in 155 crashes recorded, an increase of 21.9 per cent over the previous year.
The statistics further showed that since 2000, all but one election year recorded higher crashes, injuries and deaths as compared to previous and ensuing years.
In 2004, the deaths increased by 27.4 per cent as compared to 2003; in 2008, it decreased by 5.1 per cent compared to 2007; while in 2012, it increased by 1.9 per cent.
Road Safety Code for Parties
These were revealed at an event by the NRSA to launch the ‘Road Safety Code of Practice for Political activities’ in Accra on Thursday, August 22, 2024.
The code also requires designated persons within the leadership of political parties to ensure that all vehicles are in good condition before they are allowed to be on the road, including ensuring that only professionally qualified drivers handle roadworthy vehicles.
As campaign activities heat up in the run-up to the December elections, a strong call is being made for the political parties to mainstream the code of practice in their election campaign strategies to help reduce deaths during this year’s election season.
Source:onuaonline.com