Higher road deaths recorded in election years - NRSA

Data from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) shows that election years see a very high number of  road deaths.

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.

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 released

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.