Road fatalities in Ghana recorded a sharp increase in 2025, with nearly 3,000 people losing their lives in traffic crashes, according to the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service.

Director of Education, Research and Training at the MTTD, Alexander Kweku Obeng, said the country recorded 14,743 road crashes in 2025, representing a 9.3% increase compared to the previous year.

“The crashes involved 24,038 vehicles, which also increased by 8.54%, while 2,949 people died, marking a significant 18.24% rise in road deaths,” the report said.

According to a report by asaaseradio.com on March 11, 2026, Obeng described the figures as worrying, stressing that most crashes are caused by human behaviour.

According to him, speeding, dangerous overtaking and distracted driving continue to be the leading causes of road crashes in Ghana.

He noted that data from the MTTD shows more than 90% of road crashes are linked to human-related factors, making behavioural change critical to improving road safety.

MTTD raises alarm over sharp rise in road accident deaths in 2025

“We say one death is one too many because crashes are preventable,” Obeng stated.

Early data from January 2026 also points to troubling trends.

Obeng disclosed that 1,288 crashes were recorded in January alone, resulting in 283 deaths and 1,670 injuries.

Motorcycles accounted for a significant share of the fatalities.

“Out of the 283 deaths recorded in January, 139 involved motorcycles,” he indicated.

He attributed the high number of motorcycle-related deaths to reckless riding, lack of proper training and failure to wear protective helmets.

Obeng further disclosed that proposed amendments to Ghana’s road traffic regulations are aimed at strengthening safety rules for motorcycle riders.

The proposed measures include raising the minimum age for commercial motorcycle operations and introducing mandatory training and licensing systems.

He stressed that stronger enforcement of road safety laws, coupled with responsible behaviour by road users, will be essential to reversing the rising trend in road crashes.

“About 92% of crashes are human-related, so behaviour change is critical if we want to reduce deaths on our roads,” he stated.

MRA/AE

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