The Mayor of Kumasi, Hon Samuel Pyne on Tuesday morning unveiled the 2022 edition of the Road Safety Report on Kumasi at a stakeholder forum at the Golden Bean Hotel.
Addressing the media, the Mayor said despite the worrying statistics which shows the youth of Kumasi were dying more from accidents, the KMA would double its efforts in conscientizing road users especially vehicle owners and pedestrians on how to keep the roads safe.
The Mayor narrated how the KMA has since 2020 partnered with Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative For Global Road Safety (BIGRS) and other stakeholders to reduce road deaths and injuries in the city through the implementation of proven interventions.
‘’This report is an update of two previous reports and provides information on crashes, deaths and injuries to enable stakeholders track trends and use the findings on at-risk road user groups, risk periods and high risk crash locations to guide the implementation of interventions for improved outcomes’’, the Mayor stated.
Statistics:
The findings from the report showed that from 2021 to 2022, the number of reported road traffic crashes in Kumasi rose by 24% from 1255 to 1,550.
However, road traffic deaths dropped from 160 to 134, a 16% decrease with deaths per 100, 000 population also declining from 4.6% to 3.4% in 2022.
The report also noted that pedestrians, motorcyclists accounted for 84% of the reported fatalities in 2022, with males accounting for 78% of the deaths and 67% of serious injuries in 2022.
Unfortunately, the report said the highest proportion of deaths was recorded among those aged 20 to 29 years.
The report said based on three year geolocation data, high risk fatal crash locations were concentrated along high capacity roads including Anloga junction, Boadi junction, Asuoyeboah Traffic Intersection, Sofoline Station and Amakom Traffic Intersection.
Risk factors on selected corridors found that 30% of drivers in Kumasi were observed speeding, the report revealed from studies conducted.
National Road Safety Representative:
Kwasi Agyenim Boateng, Ashanti Regional Director for the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) stressed the need to regulate the activities of road users especially vehicle users more rigorously since the law now mandates them to do so.
He however stated that the NRSA cannot carry out that mandate alone but would need the support of other stakeholders.
Head of Accident Unit:
Dr Chris Oppong, Head of the Emergency and Accident Unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) expressed his outfit’s commitment to playing their roles in the post accident issues and treatment.
He also assured the stakeholders of the Unit’s support in collaborating together to make the roads safe for all in Kumasi.
Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie,
Kumasi.
