Disturbing statistics from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service reveal that a total of 65 lives were tragically lost in road crashes involving motorcycles in the Tema Police region throughout the year 2023.
According to the MTTD's motor accident returns for 2023, obtained by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the fatalities were distributed across the four quarters of the year as follows: 15 deaths in the first quarter, 16 in the second quarter, 26 in the third quarter, and eight in the fourth quarter.
The data further indicates that these crashes involved a total of 287 vehicles, comprising 253 motorcycles and 31 tricycles, resulting in injuries to 282 individuals.
Reacting to the concerning trend, some pillion riders in Ashaiman expressed their worries about the reckless behaviour of certain commercial cyclists. While acknowledging the benefits of motorcycles in circumventing traffic and reaching destinations more swiftly, they emphasized the alarming toll of deaths and injuries associated with motorbike accidents.
Mr. Yussif Ibrahim, a motor rider, cautioned against the dangers of rough riding on cycles, stressing the potential financial burden of medical expenses resulting from accidents.
Hajia Fati Tahiru, who occasionally utilizes motorbikes for transportation, underscored the urgent need for enhanced safety measures to safeguard commuters. She highlighted the prevalent issue of motorbike riders neglecting to provide helmets for passengers, despite the inherent risks involved.
“Taking Okada is dangerous, especially without a helmet,” she asserted, citing reckless overtaking manoeuvres and disregard for traffic regulations as common concerns.
Madam Faiza Zakari echoed the call for greater awareness and enforcement of road safety regulations by the Road Safety Department and the MTTD. She shared her decision to cease using motorbikes after witnessing firsthand the perilous riding behaviours exhibited by some riders, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety over convenience.
The stark realities revealed by these statistics emphasize the critical need for concerted efforts to address the root causes of motorcycle-related accidents and enhance road safety measures to prevent further loss of life on Ghana's roads.
