When Zebra crossings become death traps: Call for action
The zebra crossing—those bold white stripes painted across our roads—serves a critical purpose in our urban infrastructure.
These designated pedestrian pathways are meant to provide safe passage for those on foot, with drivers legally obligated to yield and allow pedestrians to cross safely.
Yet, the zebra crossings around the Flower Pot flyover, both on and off Spintex Road in Accra, have transformed from safe havens into hazard zones.
What should be a secure crossing point has become increasingly perilous as drivers consistently disregard their responsibility to stop.
The situation has reached an alarming point where pedestrians already in the middle of crossing find themselves dodging oncoming vehicles whose drivers show no intention of slowing down, let alone stopping.
This blatant disregard for pedestrian safety isn't merely inconvenient—it's potentially fatal.
Perhaps most concerning is the apparent lack of enforcement. Traffic police officers are frequently present in the area but seem to overlook these violations, inadvertently enabling this dangerous behaviour to continue unchecked.
There's a clear opportunity here: Ghana could implement a targeted enforcement programme that would not only improve safety but generate revenue through fines for non-compliant drivers.
Similar programmes in other countries have proven effective in changing driver behaviour through consistent enforcement and appropriate penalties.
This isn't about punishment for punishment's sake—it's about creating meaningful consequences that protect lives and restore order to our roads.
When properly enforced, these measures cultivate a culture of respect between drivers and pedestrians that benefits everyone.
The time has come for serious action before another pedestrian becomes a statistic. Safe crossings aren't a luxury—they're a necessity in any functional urban environment.
Joshua Adoboe,
Citizen, not a spectator.
E-mail: joshadoboe@gmail.com
