The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has introduced a new initiative to reduce road traffic fatalities during the upcoming election season.
The ‘Road Safety Code of Practice for Political Activities’ guides politicians, political parties, and their supporters in promoting road safety as they campaign for the December elections.
This move is in response to a troubling trend of increased road traffic accidents and fatalities during election years, often attributed to political party supporters’ disregard for road traffic rules.
David Osafo Adonteng, Director-General of the NRSA, emphasized the importance of the new code, which mandates that political parties ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and operated by professionally qualified drivers.
Adonteng has called on political parties to integrate the code into their campaign strategies to help mitigate the risk of accidents during this election season.
The code aims to “reduce the incidence of road traffic crashes, fatalities, and injuries through the promotion, development, and coordination of road safety policies.”
Historical data from the NRSA highlights a concerning pattern: road crashes and fatalities spike during election periods.
For instance, during the 2016 general election, road crashes increased by approximately 11%, with injuries rising by 14% and fatalities by 9% compared to the previous year. Similarly, in 2020, road crashes surged by 10% leading up to the elections, resulting in notable increases in both injuries and deaths.
The World Health Organization’s 2023 Global Status Report on Road Safety estimates that traffic crashes cost between 3-5% of Ghana’s GDP, underscoring the economic impact of these accidents.
The NRSA notes that effective road safety measures require strong political commitment. It warns that progress may be delayed without such commitment, risking more lives and property.
The NRSA’s new code of practice aims to address these issues by enforcing stricter compliance with road safety regulations among political campaigners.
Data from previous election years reveals that road traffic incidents typically increase, with election periods showing higher rates of accidents and fatalities than non-election years.
For example, in 2016, there were 44 deaths in 100 crashes involving 157 vehicles during the election period in December, marking a 15.6% increase over the previous year.
In 2020, 44 people died and 169 were injured in 155 crashes, representing a 21.9% increase from the prior year.
The statistics reveal a consistent pattern of increased crashes and fatalities in election years since 2000, with only one exception.
For instance, deaths increased by 27.4% in 2004 compared to 2003, while 2008 saw a decrease of 5.1% compared to 2007.
The pattern reflects a need for heightened vigilance and adherence to road safety measures during the electoral season.
