Ghana marks World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR) is an official United Nations day commemorated on the third Sunday of November each year to remember the millions of lives lost or hurt by traffic crashes worldwide.

In light of this the National Road Safety Commission together with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly were joined by other stakeholders to observe the day at Abeka Lapaz near Las Palmas Restaurant in Accra on Sunday 19th November 2017.

Stakeholders of road safety have been urged to ensure that the necessary equipment and human resource are provided to enforce road traffic laws and rules to help reduce, if not end the rate of road accidents in the country which will, in turn, reduce the number of casualties recorded on our roads.

The Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah who was in attendance at the ceremony lamented heavily on how families are left destitute as a result of road crashes in Accra. He emphasized Lapaz intersection on George Walker Bush Highway (N1) in Accra being the site for these fatal crashes.

618 fatal crashes were reported in Accra this year, where 113 occurred on the N1, which constitutes to about 16.6% of the fatal crashes.

Christine Evans-Klock, UN Ghana Resident Coordinator who made this call as Ghana joined the World to mark the Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims said Ghana needs to change the culture of complacency.

Ms. Evans-Klock said, “5% cut in how fast we drive can result in a 30% reduction in road traffic crashes fatalities. Traffic laws and rules exist, those with authority to enforce them need the equipment and manpower to do that job. We need to change a culture of complacency, we don’t have to accept the roads are hazardous”.