The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) of Ghana is calling on the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service to start arresting and prosecuting pedestrians who cross busy roads instead of using designated footbridges. NRSA Director-General Abraham Amaliba made this appeal on October 28 at the launch of the "Safe Crossing, Safe Lives" campaign in Madina Zongo. The initiative aims to encourage pedestrians to use designated crossing facilities in high-risk areas such as Adentan, Madina, Lapaz, and Weija.
According to Amaliba, footbridges are not just for decoration but are there for pedestrians to use and stay safe. He emphasized that where footbridges are available, pedestrians who refuse to use them should be prosecuted. However, he clarified that enforcement should only apply where footbridges exist, and not where they are absent. Amaliba also stressed the need for the MTTD to collaborate with local assemblies to clear traders from walkways that force pedestrians into traffic.
The call for enforcement follows a concerning analysis of NRSA data, which shows that 63,599 people have died in road crashes across Ghana between 1991 and 2025. Pedestrian knockdowns account for 33% of these deaths, with 20,988 fatalities resulting from such incidents. The NRSA is pushing for stricter adherence to road safety regulations, including the use of footbridges, to reduce these numbers.
Under the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180), pedestrians are legally required to use a footbridge or underpass where one has been provided. Failure to do so is considered an offense, punishable by a fine of not more than five penalty units, imprisonment of up to seven days, or both. Despite this, many pedestrians continue to ignore footbridges, prompting the NRSA to seek police enforcement.
The NRSA's appeal comes at a time when the police are already at odds with the authority over a separate directive on the use of Bluetooth devices while driving. This disagreement has raised questions about the police's willingness to enforce NRSA directives. However, the NRSA remains resolute in its efforts to improve road safety.
An Advanced Emergency Medical Technician with the National Ambulance Service, Dr. Daniel Asare, also supports the NRSA's call. He warned that a single severe pedestrian crash can tie up an ambulance for hours, delaying emergency responses for other patients. Dr. Asare urged pedestrians to use footbridges, emphasizing that safe crossing not only saves lives but also helps maintain the efficiency of the emergency response system.
The "Safe Crossing, Safe Lives" campaign is part of the Greater Accra Regional NRSA's efforts to promote road safety. The initiative will focus on high-risk areas, aiming to reduce pedestrian-related accidents and fatalities. The NRSA hopes that with police enforcement and public education, pedestrians will be more inclined to use designated crossing facilities, ultimately saving lives and reducing the burden on emergency services.
Key points
- The NRSA wants police to arrest pedestrians who ignore footbridges, citing 63,599 road crash deaths between 1991 and 2025.
- Pedestrian knockdowns account for 33% of road crash deaths in Ghana.
- The use of footbridges is a legal requirement where they are available, under the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180).
