The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has sounded the alarm on a disturbing trend of increased road crashes and fatalities during election years in Ghana.
Research reveals a consistent spike in incidents from August to December in each election year, with similar patterns observed in 2012, 2016, and 2020.
Ghana records an average of 2,000 road traffic deaths annually, with election years proving particularly perilous for road users.
The National Road Traffic Crash and Casualty Statistics show that during the 2016 election year, road crashes increased by 11%, injuries by 14%, and fatalities by 9% compared to the previous year.
Similarly, in 2020, road crashes surged by 10% in the months leading up to the elections, resulting in a significant increase in both injuries and deaths.
The economic impact of road traffic crashes is estimated to cost between 3-5% of Ghana’s GDP.
The Director of Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the NSRA, Daniel Wuaku, attributed the situation to reduced law enforcement during election periods, as local authorities shifted their focus and resources.
Wuaku urged Ghanaians to prioritise road safety, set positive examples, promote responsible behaviour, and ensure a peaceful political atmosphere to prevent unnecessary loss of life and injuries during election years.
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