The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has called on motorcyclists to adopt responsible riding habits and refrain from riding on the sides of other vehicles.

Mrs. Pearl Adusu Sateckla, the Public Relations Officer of NRSA, emphasized the importance of motorcyclists staying within their designated lanes for safety.

While acknowledging the absence of specific regulations against riding on the sides of vehicles, Mrs. Sateckla urged riders to exercise caution and ride responsibly.

She noted that the prevalent practice of motorcyclists riding on the side of other vehicles was due to the lack of dedicated lanes for motorcycles.

Motorcycles have become a popular mode of transportation in Ghana, both for commercial and private purposes, known for their agility and ability to navigate through tight spaces.

However, concerns about motorcycle-related road crashes persist, with reports of riders disregarding traffic rules, including jumping red lights, riding on pavements, and overtaking recklessly.

The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) reported a total of 2,276 road crash fatalities between January and December 2023, with 15,409 individuals sustaining various degrees of injuries during the same period.

The data revealed 14,135 reported crashes involving 23,998 vehicles and 2,559 pedestrian knockdowns.

Of the vehicles involved in crashes, 8,084 were commercial vehicles, 10,767 were private vehicles, and 5,147 were motorcycles.

Motorcycle-related crashes accounted for 931 deaths and 4,418 injuries, highlighting the significant impact of such incidents on road safety.