Let’s enforce pedestrians’ use of footbridges

The importance of footbridges in road safety cannot be overstated, particularly in Ghana where pedestrian fatalities are a major concern.

Footbridges are structures that allow pedestrians to safely cross over roads, railways, or other obstacles, thus reducing the risk of accidents and fatalities.

In Ghana, the lack of footbridges has contributed significantly to the high number of pedestrian fatalities on the country's roads.

Footbridges are therefore critical in reducing pedestrian fatalities and improving road safety in Ghana.

They provide a safe and convenient way for pedestrians to cross roads. 

They also help to reduce congestion on roads, as pedestrians are able to cross safely without having to compete with vehicular traffic.

Unfortunately, there is a reluctance in the use of the footbridges on the part of pedestrians, thereby compromising their safety on the roads.

This week some Members of Parliament suggested on the floor of Parliament the urgent need for the adoption of measures to enhance pedestrian footbridge usage in order to reduce road accidents, citing studies that indicate that over 40 per cent of road accidents in Ghana involve pedestrian fatalities.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama, Francis Asenso-Boakye, and  NPP MP for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib,  stressed the need for improved footbridge design, public education and stricter enforcement of safety regulations to curb avoidable deaths.

The Bantama MP, who is a former Minister of Roads and Highways and professional planner, highlighted the former government’s commitment to pedestrian safety, stressing that the Akufo-Addo administration made footbridges an integral part of recent trunk road designs in high-volume traffic areas.

Key projects such as the Accra-Tema Motorway expansion, Kasoa-Winneba Road, Kokoben-Anhwiankwanta Road and Adenta-Dodowa Road included dedicated pedestrian footbridges to separate human movement from fast-moving vehicles, he stated.

Indeed, despite these investments, many pedestrians continue to ignore footbridges, often crossing roads at unsafe locations, resulting in avoidable accidents and fatalities.

To address this challenge, the Daily Graphic agrees to some proposed  key interventions.

Some of the experts have proposed design optimisation and accessibility improvements, explaining that footbridges must be designed with user convenience in mind to ensure they are not only strategically located but also equipped with ramps for the elderly and persons with disability.

We believe that covered walkways, modern aesthetics and proper landscaping could also be considered to encourage pedestrian use.

It is also important for the authorities to ensure that there is adequate lighting and security because many pedestrians avoid footbridges due to poor lighting and security concerns, especially at night.

The government must prioritise the installation of streetlights, security cameras and regular police patrols around footbridges to enhance safety and deter criminal activities.

Apart from resolving all the technical issues, there is the need to place premium on public education and sensitisation to encourage the use of footbridges.

Education campaigns should be intensified through schools, community engagements and mass media to create awareness of the dangers of jaywalking and the benefits of using footbridges.

There cannot be a serious discussion on the use of footbridges without looking at enforcement of the regulations.

Strict enforcement of safety regulations is also critical, and therefore we call on the Ghana Police Service and the National Road Safety Authority to strictly enforce pedestrian safety laws, including issuing fines for jaywalking in high-risk areas.

The use of technology such as surveillance cameras and automated penalties should also be explored to ensure compliance.

Road safety is a shared responsibility, and while the government is making significant investments, it is crucial for all Ghanaians to adopt a culture of safety.

We must work together — government, road safety authorities and the public — to ensure these footbridges serve their intended purpose and save lives.