In the bustling streets of Accra and beyond, road safety is a paramount concern that affects the lives of millions.
Road crashes are becoming a global health crisis especially in developing countries with its accompanying social impacts of road-related deaths and injuries (WHO).
Raslyon Technology Ltd, a visionary IT company, has taken a significant step towards enhancing road safety education through the vehicle of digitalisation.
The DriveTest App: A Tool for Road Safety Education
Launched in 2021 in partnership with DVLA (Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority) and GhanaDrive (Ghana National Association of Driving Schools), the DriveTest app is a comprehensive educational platform that offers lessons on road safety, animations in local languages, and trial test questions designed for literate/semi-literate drivers to access on their digital devices. Its user-friendly interface allows for a deeper understanding of road safety concepts, catering to a demographic that has previously been underserved in this critical area.
Ease of Access: Digital Devices and Road Safety Content
Speaking at the Citi Business Festival Tech Forum, Mr Ronald Nyamasekpor (CEO) of Raslyon Technology stated that DriveTest is a web/mobile App that provides ease of access to road safety content on digital devices, making it convenient for users to engage with the material at their own pace.
Semi-literate/Illiterates are not left out, they can now access contents in their local languages through the animated videos on the platform. This accessibility is crucial in a country where mobile technology is rapidly expanding, allowing for a wider reach and a more informed driving community. Mr Ronald Nyamasekpor also stressed on how important it is for the introduction of driving simulators into our driving curriculum for driving trainees.
Impact on Road Safety and Ghana’s GDP
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), every year the lives of approximately 1.25 million people are cut short because of road traffic crash. Since its inception, the DriveTest app and other interventions by stakeholders have been instrumental in reducing road accidents in Ghana. The country has seen a notable improvement in road safety for the first time since data collection started, with a 4.67% reduction in crash incidents and a 9% decline in deaths from January to May 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. This positive trend not only saves lives but also has a profound economic impact. In 2016, road traffic crashes cost Ghana an estimated 8.2% of its GDP.
Collaboration with Stakeholders
The potential for collaboration with stakeholders such as the DVLA, GHANADRIVE, UNIDO (United Nations Industrial and Development Organisation), and TRANSAID is immense. These partnerships could extend the app’s functionalities to include license renewal and expand its reach to motor riders and HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) drivers. Such collaborations would ensure that a broader audience benefits from easy access to road safety content, furthering the app’s impact on reducing accidents and contributing to the nation’s GDP.
Conclusion
Raslyon Technology’s DriveTest app stands as a testament to the power of technology in advancing education and safety on the roads. As Ghana continues to embrace digital solutions, the DriveTest app serves as a model for how IT can be leveraged to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs target 3.6,11.2), of halving road accidents by 2030 to create a safer, more prosperous future for all. By providing education through technology, Raslyon Technology is paving the way for a safer tomorrow.
Remember, safer roads begin with informed and responsible drivers.