Ashanti Region NRSA urges drivers to prioritize safety ahead of Christmas

The Assistant Planning Manager of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) in the Ashanti Region, Mr. Samuel Adu Gyimah, has urged drivers and all road users to exercise extreme caution as the country approaches the Christmas season.

This, he said, is crucial to reducing the annual spike in road crashes recorded during the festive period.

Speaking on Kumasi-based Ultimate FM, Mr. Gyimah dismissed claims that end-of-year accidents are rooted in spirituality, explaining that most of these incidents are preventable if road users comply with safety regulations before, during, and after the festivities.

According to him, the roads are used by vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, traders, truck pushers, and cyclists. For this reason, he stressed, drivers must recognize that the road is not solely for them.

"The primary purpose of every road is to safeguard lives and make travel smooth and stress-free," he stated.

Mr. Gyimah further cautioned drivers and motorcyclists to respect pedestrian crossings—popularly known in Ghana as zebra crossings. He emphasized that all vehicles must stop at the solid white line before the crossing to allow pedestrians to cross safely.

He revealed that many drivers continue to violate provisions of the Ghana Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683), particularly Section 3, which addresses careless and inconsiderate driving. The law makes it an offense to drive without due care for others, punishable by fines of up to 2,000 penalty units, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.

"We will soon begin apprehending drivers who persist in such reckless behavior," he warned.

Mr. Gyimah also highlighted poor road conditions as a major contributor to the increasing number of accidents, especially in the Ashanti Region. He cited the Bekwai Roundabout–Abuakwa stretch, which is still under construction yet open to motorists, as a prime example of a high-risk zone.

He added that asphalt roads have become more dangerous because some drivers take advantage of the smooth surface to speed excessively.

"Drivers choose breakneck speed over caution, and the slightest incident leads to chaos and loss of lives," he lamented.

Mr. Gyimah concluded with strong advice to pedestrians, especially those who walk along the roadside with their heads buried in mobile phones or listening to music through headphones.

"When your attention is on your device, you may not notice an oncoming vehicle, even one with faulty brakes. Let’s all pay attention when using the road—drivers, riders, and pedestrians alike—so we do not risk our lives," he urged.