The rate of accidents and the number of casualties have increased in January 2018, compared to the same period last year.

The number of people killed in January this year has risen to 180, as against the 163 killed in January 2017, representing 10.43% increase.

Gender of person killed

The fatalities comprised 131 males and 49 females.

President Nana Akufo-Addo issues directive

Alarmed by the carnage, President Nana Akufo-Addo, in a Facebook post, disclosed that he has asked the ministers for the Interior, Ambrose Dery; Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Atta; and Transport, Kwaku Ofori-Asiamah, to meet and come out with proposals immediately, to address this critical issue in order to improve the safety of our roads.

“I am very concerned about the recent spate of road accidents, and the ensuing deaths and injuries.

“I have asked the Ministers for the Interior, Roads and Highways, and Transport to meet and come out with proposals immediately, to address this critical issue in order to improve the safety of our roads,” he posted.

28.68% jump in injuries

The number of persons injured in road crashes in January this year registered a 28.68% jump from the 910 recorded in January 2017 to 1,171 in January 2018.

23.2% increase in vehicles involved in accidents

Data compiled by the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service shows that the number of vehicles involved in accidents recorded 23.2% increase in January 2018.

The number increased from 1,440 last year January to 1,774 in January this year.

16.10% in commercial vehicles involved in accidents

The number of commercial vehicles rose from 623 in January last year to 723 within the same period this year, representing 16.10% spike.

23.2% spike in private vehicles involved in accidents

Similarly, the number of private vehicles also increased from 581 in January 2017 to 715 during the same month in 2018.

This represents a 23.2% increase.

42.3% rise in motorcycle accidents

The data shows that the number of motorcycles involved in accidents also rose from 236 in January last year to 336 in January 2018.

The motorcycles involved in accidents went up by 42.3% in January 2018.

2,076 Die in road accidents in 2017

A total of 2,076 people died in road traffic accidents in 2017.

This is eight people less than the 2,084 people killed in 2016.

514 Females killed in 2017

A total of 514 females, comprising 379 above 18 years and 135 below 18 years, were killed in 2017.

1,562 Males killed in 2017

Similarly, 1,562 males, made up of 1,369 persons above 18 years and 193 people below 18 years, also perished last year.

879 Pedestrians killed in 2017

Out of the 3,300 pedestrian knockdowns last year, 879 were killed while 2,421 survived their injuries.

12,166 Travellers injured

According to the data, 12,166 travellers were injured in 2017, compared to 12,522 in 2016.

20,444 Vehicles involved in accidents

The data puts total number of motor vehicles involved in accident in 2017 at 20,444.

Types of motor vehicles involved

The breakdown of category of motor vehicles involved is 8,080 commercial vehicles, 8,877 private vehicles, and 3,487 motorcycles.

The number of motorcycles involved in accidents recorded in 2017 was 3,487.

Eastern Region tops regional breakdown of deaths

The regional breakdown of persons killed from highest to lowest is Eastern – 374; Ashanti – 335; Accra – 296; Brong Ahafo – 253; Central – 193; Northern – 136; Tema – 125; Western – 125; Volta – 120; Upper West – 61; and Upper East – 58.

Breakdown of pedestrian knockdowns

The regional breakdown of pedestrian knockdowns are Accra – 1,196; Tema – 200; Eastern – 404; Central – 307; Western – 161; Ashanti – 652; Volta – 150; Northern – 47; Upper West – 16; Upper East – 29; and Brong Ahafo – 138.

Regional breakdown of pedestrians killed

For the regional breakdown of pedestrians killed, the figures are Accra – 238; Tema – 61; Eastern – 131; Central – 91; Western – 57; Ashanti – 129; Volta – 49; Northern – 37; Upper West – eight; Upper East – 12; and Brong Ahafo – 66.

Breakdown of pedestrian deaths

For the regional breakdown of pedestrians killed, the figures are Accra – 238; Tema – 61; Eastern – 131; Central – 91; Western – 57; Ashanti – 129; Volta – 49; Northern – 37; Upper West – eight; Upper East – 12; and Brong Ahafo – 66.
Accra tops accidents

On regional breakdown of motor vehicle accidents are Accra – 8,893; Ashanti – 3,551; Eastern – 1,724; Tema – 1,510; Central – 1,422; Volta – 823; Western – 781; Brong Ahafo – 722; Northern – 467; Upper East – 330; and Upper West – 221.