Between January and May of this year, 1,140 individuals were killed in traffic accidents, while 6,620 others were injured in various ways.
Over the course of the five-month period, accidents took more than four lives on average every day.
According to the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), there were 6,472 road crashes involving 10,858 cars during the time period under consideration, a 4.67 percent decrease from the previous year's number of 6,789 incidents.
Although the numbers showed a small decline in accidents, the interim Director-General of the NRSA, David Osafo Adonteng, stated in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra that the number of precious lives lost was still a worry.
Figures from the region
According to the NRSA, the Greater Accra Region had the most accidents, with 2,735, followed by the Ashanti and Eastern regions, with 1,496 and 709 incidents, respectively.
There were 448 and 305 collisions in the Central and Western areas, respectively, resulting in 96 and 52 deaths.
The Volta, Western North, and Bono East areas had 160, 98, and 95 fatalities, respectively, resulting in 44, 49, and 56 deaths.
There were 84, 75, and 66 collisions in the Ahafo, Northern, and Bono areas, respectively, with 36, 42, and 34 deaths.
The Upper East, Upper West, and Savannah areas had 61, 44, and 42 accidents, respectively, with 19, 22, and 21 deaths, while the North East and Oti regions had 61, 44, and 42 accidents, respectively, with 19, 22, and 21 deaths.
In that order, the lowest numbers of collisions were 31 and 23, with 14 and 20 deaths, respectively.
Campaign
Mr Adonteng ascribed the drop in crash numbers to two public education programmes, Arrive Alive and Stay Alive, which were launched in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
"It is inspiring us and increasing our ideas that if we do it collectively, completely, and passionately, we will obtain the intended outcome of decreasing road collisions," he said, adding that while the number of fatalities was frightening, the reduction in accidents was considerable.
Mr Adonteng said that the Ghana Police Service's Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) contributed to the incident through the Police Action Against Rider Indiscipline (Operation PAARI) and Public Invisible Eye (PIE) traffic operations.
""We can all see the influence of the advice and education given to drivers about the consequences of road indiscipline," he stated.
He stated that his organisation and other stakeholders would guarantee that the campaign was not only enhanced but also continued in order to ensure that motorists followed all traffic rules and regulations.
"The campaign is still going strong; we're campaigning every day on radio and television, and our outreach teams are moving and engaging the people around the country," she said "He went on to say.
Mr. Adonteng also stated that the NRSA planned to establish 'lollipop' stands in schools across the country by September of this year to assist youngsters in crossing roadways and avoid pedestrian collisions.
Vehicles that have broken down
He also emphasised the issue of breakdown cars being left on the road, assuring that efforts were being taken to remove such vehicles off the roads, as they had been recognised as one of the leading causes of accidents.
He urged everyone, including the media, civil society organisations (CSOs), and other stakeholders, to help the NRSA fulfil its mission of preserving lives and property.
"It is not possible for one organisation to handle all; it is a common obligation and a national need. The NRSA is leading the charge in this effort, but we should all join in to rid the country of traffic accidents "Mr. Adonteng said.