The National Road Safety Authority is calling on all road safety stakeholders to intensify efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable road users.
A statement released by the Authority indicates that Road traffic injuries are still the leading cause of death and disability worldwide with around 1.35 million people killed and as many as 50 million people injured each year.
It adds that “globally, 1 of every 4 deaths occur among pedestrians and cyclists.”
Thus, NRSA wants road safety stakeholders which include those providing various services in Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency Response in Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to put concrete measures in place targeted at protecting Pedestrians and Cyclists who are notable among vulnerable road users.
Meanwhile, the UN General Assembly organizes periodic UN Global Road Safety Week annually to serve as a platform for global and regional, but mainly national and local, activities to raise awareness about road safety issues and to stimulate and advance the importance of taking steps to prevent road crashes.
The 7th Edition which is scheduled from 15th May to 22nd May 2023 focuses on sustainable transport “in particular the need to shift to walking, cycling and using public transport.”
The World Health Organization is therefore asking all road safety and sustainable mobility partners to mark the 7th UN Global Road Safety Week by organizing events and activities under the theme “Rethink Mobility with a focus on shifting to Walking, Cycling, and use of Safer Public.”
Currently, Ghana is said to be progressively and systematically reducing the incidents of road crashes and casualties.
However, the NRSA says that road crashes are still a serious national concern in the country because “deaths on the road exceed 2,000 annually with over 10,000 persons also getting injured.”
As such to commemorate the 7th Edition of the UN Global Road Safety Week in Ghana, the Authority says it will organize activities that will highlight advocacy and engagements seeking to emphasize the need for Pedestrian Walkways, Cycle Lanes, and effective regulation of public transport services including the introduction of ICT Systems.
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Source: Rosemond Asmah & Mercy Amanqunoah/ATLFMNEWS
