The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has unveiled a new ‘Road Safety Code of Practice for Political Activities’ designed to mitigate road-related fatalities during the election season.
This code provides guidelines for politicians, political parties, and their supporters, urging them to prioritize road safety in preparation for the December elections.
It addresses the concerning trend of increased deaths during election years, which is often linked to political parties neglecting road traffic rules amid intense campaigning.
David Osafo Adonteng, Director-General of the NRSA, stressed that the code requires political party leaders to ensure that all campaign vehicles are in proper condition and operated by professionally qualified drivers.
He urged parties to integrate these safety practices into their campaign strategies to help reduce road fatalities this election season.
The code’s primary objective is to enhance Ghana’s road transportation system by “reducing road traffic crashes, fatalities, and injuries through the promotion, development, and coordination of road safety policies.”
Data from the National Road Traffic Crash and Casualty statistics reveal a troubling increase in road crashes during election years.
For example, in the 2016 general election, road crashes rose by approximately 11%, with injuries increasing by 14% and fatalities by 9% compared to the previous year. Similarly, in 2020, road crashes surged by 10%, resulting in higher rates of injuries and deaths.
The World Health Organization’s 2023 Global Status Report on Road Safety highlights the economic impact of traffic crashes, estimating that they cost Ghana between 3-5% of its GDP.
The NRSA pointed out that “global best practices indicate a link between political commitment and improvements in road safety. Without political will and participation, the necessary systems to enhance road safety will be delayed, leading to loss of lives and property.”
Historically, election years in Ghana have experienced a rise in road-related deaths, often due to the disregard for traffic regulations by political supporters during campaigns.
The NRSA’s data shows that since 2000, election years consistently record higher rates of road crashes, injuries, and fatalities compared to non-election years.
For instance, in December 2016, there were 44 deaths in 100 crashes involving 157 vehicles, marking a 15.6% increase from the previous year. Similarly, in 2020, 44 people died and 169 were injured in 155 recorded crashes, a 21.9% increase from the previous year.
These statistics reveal that, with few exceptions, every election year since 2000 has seen higher rates of crashes, injuries, and deaths compared to the surrounding years.
Notably, deaths increased by 27.4% in 2004 compared to 2003, decreased by 5.1% in 2008 compared to 2007, and rose by 1.9% in 2012 compared to the previous year.
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