Road crashes have claimed 174 lives in the Ashanti region between January and May this year.

The figure represents a 39 per cent increase in fatalities recorded in the region within the same period last year, which was put at 125 deaths.

The crashes involved 893 commercial vehicles as against last year’s 642 vehicles within the same period.

Ashanti Regional Planning Officer of the National Road Safety Commission, Emmanuel Parry, expressed worry over the rising road crashes despite increased public road safety awareness.

He acknowledged the need for a holistic research to unearth critical factors leading to road fatalities in the country.

Speaking to TV3, he said the Road Safety Commission has intensified its education at commercial transport terminals across the country with the view to getting them to adhere to road signs and speed limits.

He advised drivers plying the roads at night and at dawn to be extra cautious and ensure their vehicles are road worthy.

Vehicles should also all have reflective gadgets to make them visible to oncoming vehicles, he added.

Mr. Parry encouraged passengers to be bold and speak up when drivers are reckless or drive at excessive speed.