The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly is forming a Road Safety Advisory Group, which will include a variety of actors in the fight against road accidents.
Metropolitan Chief Executive Samuel Pyne said this was part of the Assembly’s efforts to improve security in Kumasi.
“As the new mayor of the city, I promise my contradictory support for the project to achieve its objectives.
“I will promote close collaboration with all road stakeholders, in particular the National Road Safety Authority, for proper and adequate education and campaigning.
“Ministry of roads and highways, Department of urban roads for interventions in road infrastructure, Ministry of transport and Syndicate of transport for the regular training of drivers.
“MTTD police for better enforcement of road traffic rules on our roads.
“As part of the efforts to improve road safety in our metropolis, a Road Safety Advisory Group will be set up,” he said.
He spoke at the launch of the very first KMA 2020 Road Safety Report in Kumasi.
A total of 577 people were killed in traffic accidents between January and November this year in the Ashanti region.
The figure indicates a 16% increase over the 2020 figure, which stood at 496.
Superintendent Emmanuel Adu Boahen, commander of the Police Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), said the total number of pedestrians knocked down stood at 639.
The report is one of the road safety reports launched in 30 cities around the world by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Ghana has been selected as one of 15 countries to benefit from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ $ 240 million pledge to help prevent road traffic fatalities over six time periods.
The report enlightens stakeholders on the extent and risk of road fatalities and injuries.
It also aims to improve the management of city vehicles and also to provide information on the best aids to mitigate crises.
Some discoveries
The report shows that pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists accounted for 76% and 73% of road fatalities in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
In 2020, 49% of all road crash deaths in the city involved pedestrians.
Cars, SUVs and pickup trucks caused a higher proportion of pedestrian fatalities.
70% of people died or suffered serious industries in road accidents between 2017 and 2020.
People aged 30 to 39 accounted for the highest proportion of deaths in 2020.
Locations such as Anloga Junction, Sunyani Road, Ideal College Junction, Krofrom Junction, Abrepo Junction, and Amakom Junction as high risk areas for fatal accidents and serious.
The results show a 29% prevalence of speeding in Kumasi in 2020. Correct helmet use among motorcycle riders and passengers was 44% and 6%, respectively.
20% of deaths reported in 2020 occurred as a result of accidents between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
55% of deaths in 2020 occurred as a result of accidents that occurred on weekends.
29% of vehicles were observed exceeding the posted limit.
44% of motorcyclists and 6% of passengers wore a helmet correctly.
