An alarming statistic from the Ghana Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) indicates that over 2, 500 people have died in road crashes for just July and September 2016, higher than figures from the previous quarter.

This disturbing statistic revealed by the Director General of the MTTD, ACP Patrick Adusei Sarpong further indicated that number of persons injured also rose by 30 percent within the same period.

The number of accident cases also increased marginally in 2016 as compared to the same quarter for 2015.

The Director General of the MTTD expressed shock at the phenomenal surge in the number of deaths in the third quarter of the year, blaming the situation largely on sheer indiscipline by motorists, other road users (pedestrians and drivers) and weak enforcement of regulations.

He described the motor accident menace as a health issue that threaten the foundation of society and ought to be treated with all the seriousness it deserved.

ACP Patrick Adusei Sarpong subsequently called for urgent and pragmatic strategies to curb road accidents and improve the smooth flow of traffic.

He urged personnel to also intensify education targeted at pedestrians for their safe use of the road, explaining that they need to redouble efforts at education and enforcement to make the rest of the year free from motor crashes.

“We’re going to meet all political party representatives, sit them down and let them know how serious the situation road crashes is. We hope that they agree and buy into the program that we will be presenting to them so that collectively we can reduce road crashes in the country between now and the end of December.”

Meanwhile the MTTD has received desk top computers and other logistics to ensure the smooth running of road safety matters in the country.