NRSA calls for prosecution of pedestrians avoiding footbridges

National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) Director-General Abraham Amaliba has called on the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) to arrest and prosecute pedestrians who refuse to use designated footbridges. Speaking at the launch of the Safe Crossing, Safe Lives campaign in Madina Zongo, Amaliba emphasized that enforcing existing Road Traffic Regulations is a critical step in curbing the high rate of pedestrian fatalities. The campaign is specifically targeting high-risk urban areas including Madina, Adentan, and Lapaz, where pedestrians frequently cross dangerous highways instead of using available infrastructure. Statistics provided by the NRSA underscore the gravity of the situation, showing that pedestrian knockdowns account for 33 percent of all road crash fatalities in Ghana. Since 1991, the country has recorded over 63,599 road traffic deaths, with 20,988 of those resulting from pedestrians being hit by vehicles. The Director-General noted that while infrastructure exists in many of these accident-prone zones, the lack of enforcement has led to widespread non-compliance with road safety laws. In addition to targeting pedestrian behavior, the NRSA highlighted the challenge of traders encroaching on walkways and footbridge access points. These obstructions often force pedestrians into the path of oncoming traffic, exacerbating the risks. Amaliba urged local assemblies to collaborate with the police to clear these areas, ensuring that walkways remain accessible and safe for the public. He reminded the public that using footbridges is not merely a safety recommendation but a legal requirement under Ghana's traffic laws. Supporting the call for stricter enforcement, Dr. Daniel Asare from the National Ambulance Services pointed out the broader implications of road accidents on public health and the economy. He noted that pedestrian knockdowns place an immense strain on emergency medical resources and emergency response systems. The NRSA intends for the Safe Crossing, Safe Lives campaign to serve as a sustained effort to foster a culture of compliance and significantly reduce the number of preventable deaths on Ghana's roads.