As Ghana approaches the 2025 festive season, road safety is once again taking center stage, requiring proactive vigilance from both drivers and passengers. Alhaji Abbas Ibrahim Moro, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), stressed that holiday travel does not have to correlate automatically with danger, emphasizing that most tragedies are entirely avoidable. He asserted: “It is not automatic that December is full of accidents. Most accidents can be avoided,” emphasizing that responsible driving and strict adherence to traffic regulations are essential preventative measures.
The urgency for these precautions is underscored by recent accident data. In 2023, Ghana recorded 14,135 road crashes involving nearly 24,000 vehicles, resulting in a staggering 2,276 deaths and over 15,400 injuries. The 2023 festive period alone saw 37 people lose their lives in crashes reported between December 24–26 and December 31–January 1, alongside 236 reported accidents. While 2024 showed a slight decrease in the total number of crashes (13,489), fatalities unfortunately rose to 2,494, demonstrating that the risk during peak travel remains critically high.
Mr. Moro urged drivers to maintain their vehicles meticulously, highlighting the condition of tyres as a vital element of road worthiness. He emphasized the fundamental importance of this step: “We should also ensure that our tyres are in good condition. It’s one of the most important ways to protect ourselves and our passengers,”.
Beyond the mechanical aspects, he noted the non-negotiable role of human responsibility in observing traffic laws. Moro provided guidance on following regulations: “Drivers must follow all road signs and use them responsibly. If we do so, God will protect us from most accidents, as research has shown the importance of adhering to road signs.”.
Authorities, including the GPRTU, the National Road Safety Authority, and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), are actively preparing to reskill drivers ahead of the anticipated festive rush. This institutional preparation is complemented by a need for passenger cooperation.
Moro encouraged passengers to engage proactively with drivers who display reckless behavior, but stressed that they must do so respectfully. He advised: “Passengers should speak up when drivers are driving recklessly, but they should do so calmly and respectfully, without insulting the drivers,”. This cooperation between drivers and passengers, when coupled with the proper enforcement of traffic rules, is viewed as vital to significantly reducing accident rates.
As the Christmas travel peak approaches, the message is unambiguous: vigilance, respect for road signs, and responsible vehicle maintenance offer a clear roadmap for mitigating risk and ensuring safer holiday journeys in 2025. The tragic statistics from 2023 and 2024 serve as a stark reminder that accidents are preventable, reinforcing Mr. Moro’s guidance for marking the holidays with safe arrivals rather than tragedy.
Ensuring road safety during the holidays requires a collective mindset, much like a well-coordinated orchestra where every musician, driver, passenger, and authority must play their part responsibly to achieve a harmonious and safe outcome.
