Provisional data on fatalities from road traffic in the first five months of the year 2020 shows a reduction of 14.49% compared to the same period last year.

This is attributable to the COVID-19 restrictions, including the three-week lockdown of Greater Accra, Greater Kumasi in Ashanti Region and Kasoa in the Central Region between March and April.

Restrictions on social and public gatherings, as well as urging people to stay home if they do not have anything doing in town, led to a drastic reduction in movement of vehicles, thereby reducing accidents.

909 Killed in first 5 months this year

Data compiled by the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service indicates that the number of persons killed recorded a 14.49% reduction from 1,063 in the first five months of last year to 909 during the same period this year.

10.5% jump in January deaths

In January 2020, the number of commuters who died through road traffic crashes witnessed a 10.5% jump to 222 compared to the 201 killed in January 2019.

18.60% drop in February deaths

Similarly, the number killed dropped from 210 in February 2019 to 171 in February 2020, representing 18.60%.

29.10% decline in March deaths

The number of commuters killed in March 2020 slumped by 29.10% to 202, compared with the 285 killed in March 2019.

6.5% drop in April

A 6.5% decline in the number of commuters killed was recorded in April 2020 as the figure dropped to 143 from the 153 in 2019.

18.8% drop in May

An 18.8% decline in the number of persons killed was recorded in May 2020 as the figure dropped to 171 from 214 in 2019

25.3% decline in pedestrian knockdowns

The number of pedestrian knockdowns dropped by 25.3% from 1,282 in 2019 to 958 this year.

3.5% reduction in persons injured

Similarly, the number of persons injured also recorded a 3.5% reduction from 5,908 last year to 5,703 in the same period this year.

12.6% increase in motorcycle accidents

However, there was a 12.6% increase in fatalities involving motorcycle users over the same period.

2.5% reduction in vehicles involved in crashes

The data showed that the total number of vehicles involved in crashes reduced from 9,402 last year to 9,163 this year, representing a 2.5% reduction.

Private vehicles involved in crashes

Road traffic crashes involving private vehicles in the first five months had a total of 3,663.

5.2% decline in total number of crashes reported

The total number of crashes reported dropped by 5.2% from 5,766 in 2019 to 5,465 this year.