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0 The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has raised an alarm over a sharp increase in road crashes across the Volta Region, with motorcycles accounting for nearly half of all recorded fatalities and injuries.
Mr. Bismark Elorm Sackitey, Assistant Planning Manager at the NRSA, disclosed this during a sensitisation workshop with members of the Commercial Motor Riders Association (ComRiders) in Ho. The engagement aimed to promote compliance with traffic regulations and curb the rising number of road crashes involving motorcyclists.
He said the region recorded 375 crashes between January and September 2025, compared to 373 crashes for the entire 2024, representing a marginal but worrying 0.5 per cent increase. “Even when comparing January to September this year against the full-year data of last year, we see an alarming rise in crashes,” he noted.
Mr. Sackitey revealed that 624 vehicles were involved in accidents this year, compared to 606 within the same period last year — a 2.9 per cent increase. Fatalities rose significantly from 59 in 2024 to 95 in 2025, while the number of injured people jumped from 298 to 401. Pedestrian knockdowns also increased from 68 to 93.
“These statistics show that all crash indicators are increasing, and this trend is very worrying,” he stressed. “Motorcycles alone make up about half of all fatalities and injuries, which highlights the urgent need for behavioural change among riders.”
The NRSA, together with officials from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), used the session to educate riders on road safety practices, including the importance of licensing, registration, and compliance with traffic regulations.
Mr. Sackitey reminded riders that wearing helmets could reduce fatalities by up to 40 per cent and the risk of serious injury by 70 per cent. “Helmets save lives — it’s that simple,” he emphasised.
He also cautioned against the removal of essential motorcycle features such as side mirrors and number plates, describing the trend as dangerous and unlawful. “Side mirrors help riders stay alert to their surroundings. Taking them off endangers both the rider and other road users,” he explained.
The NRSA reiterated its commitment to working closely with transport unions and regulatory bodies to reduce road traffic crashes and promote safer road use across the Volta Region.
