Road traffic crashes in the Western Region had seen a tremendous reduction in the second quarter of the year, with 188 cases reported, as against 232 recorded in the same period last year.

According to statistics released by the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), 46 persons were killed during the period under review, as against 50 last year, involving 145 commercial and 119 private vehicles, as well as 36 motorbikes, as against last year’s figures of 146,107 and 41 respectively.

In terms of the severity of the crashes, 35 were fatal, 47 were serious and 95 were minor accidents, as compared to last year’s figures of 43, 60 and 129 respectively. There were 24 pedestrian knockdowns, with 164 injuries, as against last year’s figures of 39 and 246 respectively.

Explaining measures instituted by the Commission to chalk these successes to the GNA in Takoradi, Mr. Samuel Asiamah, Western Regional Manager of the Commission, said it increased road safety awareness campaigns at the various transport terminals, as well as passenger empowerment educational drive.

He added that the Commission had also widened its advocacy campaigns on local radio stations, and embarked on snap checks with personnel from the Motor Transport and Traffic Department of the Ghana Police Service and the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority.

Mr. Asiamah observed that road traffic statistics from 15 districts in the region including Enchi, Sefwi-Wiawso, Juaboso, Half-Assini, Bibiani, Debiso, Asawinso, Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Asankrangwa, Prestea and Sekondi-Takoradi recorded improvements in road safety indicators.

He stated further that the Commission, in collaboration with the various district assemblies, had established road safety committees to complement the efforts of the NRSC, adding that those committees comprised key stakeholders such as assembly members, traditional authorities, the police and some heads of departments.

The Regional Manager of the Commission asked for the continued support of the Assemblies to reduce road crashes in the region to the barest minimum, saying road safety is a shared and collective responsibility of the entire citizenry.