More than 90% of road crashes attributed to human behaviour — NRSA

The Acting Director General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), David Osafo Adonteng, has revealed that over 90% of road crashes in Ghana are caused by human behavior.

Speaking on Accra-based Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, October 14, Mr. Adonteng emphasized that while road and vehicle factors are significant, human error remains the predominant cause of accidents on the nation’s roads.

“We have all said that you take the road factor out, and take the vehicle factor out, but the most prevalent cause of crashes is human behavior,” he explained.

Mr. Adonteng pointed out that road safety depends on the delicate interaction between three key factors: the road, the vehicle, and the driver.

However, he stressed that when drivers disregard basic safety protocols, the consequences can be deadly.

“More than 90% of crash occurrences are attributed to human behavior,” he reiterated, highlighting how this is a persistent issue despite ongoing efforts by authorities to address it.

The Acting Director General pointed to speeding as the primary culprit behind many of these accidents, noting that excessive speed on Ghanaian roads continues to claim lives.

“The enemy of road crashes in Ghana is speeding—what we call over-speeding. I think that by and large, anytime you hit the road, you will find people driving as if they are using aircraft,” Mr. Adonteng remarked.

He also reminded drivers of the importance of adhering to speed limits, explaining that there are strict guidelines that govern how fast vehicles should travel, especially in densely populated areas.

He emphasized that while the maximum speed limit on highways like the Accra-Tema Motorway is 100 kilometers per hour, lower limits are enforced in residential areas and near schools to ensure safety.

“People are aware. They’ve gone through driving schools. The National Road Safety Authority engages drivers almost daily. It is not like they don’t know, but the most critical problem we have is irresponsibility,” he said.

Mr. Adonteng noted that despite significant investments in road safety education, many drivers still choose to flout the rules.

“It is irresponsibility,” he stated bluntly. “If you want to fly, you turn your car into an aircraft, go to the Civil Aviation Authority and register and fly, but not on the road. It is not acceptable.”

This follows recent road crashes which have claimed over twenty lives in less than a week.