The Authority said the COVID-19 pandemic is a blessing in disguise as restrictions on movements during the lockdown resulted in reduced road traffic deaths.
A statement by the Authority said provisional statistics on road traffic crashes indicate that 5,465 crashes involving 9,163 vehicles were recorded, resulting in 958 incidents of pedestrian knockdowns, 909 fatalities and 5,703 injuries.
Compared to the same period in 2019, the Authority said there has been a reduction in reported cases and fatalities by 5.22% and 14.49% respectively.
The NRSA said this development can be attributed to the COVID-19 restrictions, including the three-week lockdown of Greater Accra, Greater Kumasi in Ashanti Region, and Kasoa in the Central Region between March and April this year.
Restrictions on social and public gatherings, as well as urging people to stay home if they do not have anything doing in town, led to a drastic reduction in the movement of vehicles, thereby reducing accidents, the statement added.
“While the relative reduction is encouraging, the number of fatalities and injuries through road traffic crashes are still high. The Authority cautions drivers to minimize their travel speeds and avoid wrongful overtaking, driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs and driving tired. Pedestrians are also advised to cross the roads at designated safe points,” NRSA urged in a statement.
The Imposition of Restrictions Act was enacted based on a directive issued by President Akufo-Addo on 15 March 2020 to introduce emergency measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
The President in his speech directed the attorney-general to introduce “emergency legislation” to that effect.
The Act is “to provide for powers to impose restrictions on persons, to give effect to paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of clause (4) of Article 21 of the Constitution in the event of an emergency, disaster or similar circumstance to ensure public safety, public health and protection.”
Ghana’s case count
Ghana has recorded 247 new cases of the coronavirus disease to bring the country’s case count to 11,964 with 4258 recoveries and 58 deaths as of 13 June 2020.
