Road accidents between January and August 2013 have killed over 1,323 road users in Ghana, the latest statistics from the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service indicates.

The statistics indicates that every month, over 165 people are killed in ghastly road crashes, while more than five people are killed daily on roads in Ghana.

A press statement released on September 13, 2013 and signed by ACP Angwubutoge Awuni, the Director General of the unit, shows a gory picture of more than 9,189 accidents involving over 14,200 vehicles.

Last year, the figures were even more gory: There were 9,531 road accidents involving 14,126 cars that claimed 1,503 lives.

Despite this year’s seeming improved statistics of road fatalities, the police are more scared of the possible outcome of overall road fatalities this year because according to ACP Awuni, the MTTU has observed “worrying surge in reported incidence of preventable fatal road crashes” this month (September).

In the statement, the MTTU outlined some roads that have recorded an alarming rise of accidents between September 2 and September 8. The roads include the Konongo-Kumasi highway, the Tamale-Bolgatanga highway, roads in Cape Coast and Accra. An average of five deaths have been recorded on these roads daily within the six-day timeframe.

“These gains seem to be eroding with the sudden worrying surge in reported incidence of preventable fatal road crashes at the following places within days,” ACP Awuni stated worriedly.

“These preventable incidences occurred as a result of driver intolerance, leaving disabled vehicles on the road without warning devices and reflectors, abuse of road markings and signs, excessive speeding, unlawful overtaking and jaywalking.”

The Police administration has been sent scrambling to reserve the trend, “The Police administration is intensifying its road traffic enforcement and road safety sensitization on all roads particularly at accident prone areas, as well as the prosecution of traffic offenders,” the MMTU boss noted.

“These alone would not suffice without the cooperation of vehicle owners, drivers, passengers, commercial transport operators, pedestrians, other road safety stakeholders and the media,” he quickly added.

Road accidents are generally estimated to be higher in the last quarter of every year, particularly during the days leading to the yuletide when people move around a lot for shopping and other businesses.