Roads are shared by cars, buses, trucks, motorbikes, mopeds, pedestrians, animals and taxis throughout the world.
Travel made possible by motor vehicles supports economic and social development in many countries.
Road traffic crashes are the world's leading cause of death for children and young adults aged between five and 29.
To bring the issue to the forefront and garner international attention, the United Nations has designated November 16 as the World Day of Remembrance (WDoR) for Road Traffic Victims, a day to pause and reflect on the devastating impact of road crashes on families and communities worldwide.
In Ghana, the statistics are alarming: 9,626 road crashes were reported from January to August 2025, resulting in 1,937 fatalities and 10,957 injuries. These numbers represent lives lost, dreams shattered and families torn apart.
Ghana’s roads are now chaotic, and the increasing number of crashes and fatalities bears witness to that.
Our neighbouring Burkina Faso has demarcated roads for motorbike riders, cyclists and mopeds, with all the road infrastructure for these road users, as well as pedestrians.
Recently, our political leaders have committed to legalising motorbikes for commuting, which, until then, was only used for delivery.
The Daily Graphic believes that with the spate of these conflicts on the country’s roads, duty bearers must be open and face the fact that the intention to legalise motorbike riders must be reviewed for better options.
If new roads dedicated to this set of cyclists cannot be built in the short to medium term, then can we suspend the legalisation for some time?
The theme for this year's commemorative day, "Lost Talents," underscores the irreversible loss of human potential.
The slogan "Remember, Support, Act" is a call to action for all Ghanaians to honour those who have died, support victims and their families, and promote evidence-based actions to prevent future crashes.
As we observe this day, we commend the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) for its efforts to address road safety.
However, the increasing conflicts on our roads, with vehicles, cyclists, motorbike riders, and pedestrians vying for space, demand a more comprehensive approach.
The government's intention to legalise motorbike riders for commuting, while well-intentioned, requires careful consideration to ensure safety is prioritised.
Official figures from the NRSA indicate the number of road crashes has increased by 11 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.
The number of persons killed has also increased by 20 per cent, while the number of persons injured has risen by 10.2 per cent.
These statistics are a stark reminder of the urgent need to address road safety in Ghana.
We urge the government and NRSA to take concrete steps to address road safety.
This includes implementing dedicated lanes for cyclists and motorbike riders, reviewing their legalisation for commuting, and enhancing support for victims with life-changing injuries.
The government must put a premium on road safety education and awareness campaigns to sensitise the public to the importance of safe driving practices.
As Ghanaians, we must take ownership of road safety.
We must call out reckless driving, support victims, and demand action from duty bearers.
Let us honour the memories of those lives lost to road crashes by committing to creating safer roads for all.
We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to ensure that our roads are safe and secure.
The Daily Graphic pledges to continue highlighting road safety issues and advocating change.
Together, we can make a difference and reduce the number of road traffic victims in Ghana.
Let us work together to create a safer and more responsible road culture in Ghana.
