Increase in Adult Male Fatalities in Central Region Road Accidents, April to June Report Reveals

 

A recent report from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) for the Central Region, covering the period from April to June, has revealed a concerning trend: a higher number of adult males aged 18 and above have died in road accidents compared to other groups.

According to the report, out of the 48 individuals who lost their lives in road accidents during this period, 43 were adults over 18, making up 90% of the fatalities. In contrast, only five victims, or 10%, were under 18. This data highlights a significant disparity, showing that for every 16 people who died, eight were adults, reflecting a road traffic death ratio of 8:1 for adults versus children.

Mrs. Linda Affotey-Annang, the Central Regional Head of the NRSA, explained to the Ghana News Agency that this disparity is largely due to the increased exposure of adults to traffic risks compared to children.

In terms of gender distribution, the report shows that 40 males, representing 83% of the fatalities, lost their lives in road accidents, while eight females, or 17%, were killed. This indicates a concerning trend where for every female death, five males died, consistent with past years where male fatalities have been higher.

While there was an overall decrease in road accidents in the region—from 288 to 237 during the period—the total number of casualties was 419, which included 48 deaths and 371 injuries. The report noted reductions in the number of reported cases, vehicles involved, injuries, and deaths, with decreases of 17.71%, 9.93%, 9.43%, and 40.45% respectively. However, pedestrian knockdowns saw a 24% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024.

The report also categorized road accidents by severity, with 120 classified as minor crashes (51%), 73 as serious crashes (31%), and 44 as fatal crashes (18%). Notably, May recorded the highest number of injuries, totaling 167, while April had the lowest with 100 injuries.

Overall, there was a decline in the number of fatalities compared to the same period in 2023, with the rate of decrease in 2024 being approximately three deaths per month, compared to 1.5 deaths per month in 2023.

Mrs. Affotey-Annang reiterated the NRSA's commitment to promoting positive behavioral changes among road users to ensure adherence to traffic regulations. She also emphasized the importance of collective responsibility, urging road users to support the authority and other stakeholders by reporting traffic violations.

*Source: Ghana News Agency*