Security Analyst Prof. Kwasi Aning says the spate of road accident threatens the very survival of all road users.

One hundred and five days since the year 2021 took off and a total of 771 deaths have been confirmed as arising from road accidents.

This puts the daily average of deaths on Ghana’s roads this year at 7. The latest accidents since Tuesday has resulted in 15 deaths.

Prof. Kwasi Aning argues accidents have moved beyond a national security threat.

“Our very existence is in danger. If the covid had killed the number of people that have died last year and this year, we would elevated it to an existential threat, we would have found extra budget resources to ensure that the carnages are brought under control”, he told the host of Super Morning Show, Kojo Yankson.

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), the lead public statutory body responsible for road safety management has been outlining some of the measures it is rolling out to deal with the matter. 

It’s Head of regulation Inspection and Compliance Kwame Koduah Atuahene says 150 road safety officers have been deployed to bus terminal where long distance vehicles take off.

They are to check compliance with directives issued to transport operators. This includes ensuring that there are two drivers available on vehicles travelling long distance. 

He also indicates that plans are underway to ensure that long distance cars are required to install speed limiting gadgets.

The NRSA also says it will re-introduce the road tow levy as part of measures to improve safety on our roads.

Moves to implement a law that imposes a mandatory levy on all owners and persons in charge of motor vehicles, for the purpose of towing broken down or disabled vehicles on the roads were abandoned following a public uproar.

Director of Planning and Programs at the NRSA David Adonteng tells JoyNews plans are underway to bring it back.