Civil Society Organizations Alliance for Road Safety - Ghana (CARS-GH), a network of CSOs that advocate and implement programmes for road safety initiatives in Ghana, is set to join forces with the National Road Safety Authority.

The joint forces will intensify innovative road safety awareness initiatives that could help reduce road crashes and pedestrian knockdowns.

According to CARS-GH, statistics revealed that a total of 3,340 road accident cases were recorded between January and March this year, killing 544 people.

In a statement issued and signed by the Acting National President, Vitus Adaboo Azeem, CARS-GH stated that the importance of road safety in the developmental agenda of a country cannot be overemphasised.

The CSO noted road safety is essential for effective socio-economic development, yet several developing countries are faced with challenges relating to road safety.

The challenges, according to CARS-GH, further aggravate the already heavily burdened healthcare systems.

They stated that concerns about road traffic collisions have been on the front burner of many countries where road safety issues are compounded not only by an increase in population but also by inadequate road infrastructure and ineffective safety policies and transportation systems.

"We recommend that the government and stakeholders alike tackle these challenges by building a collaborative environment where everyone is involved in the process of developing and implementing strategies aimed at overcoming these challenges as they arise,” part of the statement reads.

CARS-GH stressed the need to address the epidemic carnage of road traffic injuries, many of which are preventable since they arise from human actions and inactions.

They further identified inadequate knowledge of road safety exhibited by some officials assigned to road safety policy implementation.

“Lack of satisfactory knowledge on basic procedures, with regards to road safety among road traffic agency staff, policymakers, and lower level personnel such as traffic controllers remains a major problem,” the statement said.

According to the statement signed by Mr Azeem, CARS-GH road safety campaigns are key in their strategy to make everyone aware of the importance of road safety and the consequences of not obeying the law.

They added that "raising awareness of the dangers of driver fatigue is crucial as we are heading towards the yuletide."

The statement explained fatigue is the physical and mental impairment brought on by lack of sleep, which could increase the risk of being involved in a crash.

It however advised drivers to eschew driving under the influence of alcohol or drunk-driving and never fight sleep at the wheel.