The increasing number of road accidents nationwide is largely the result of excessive speeding, rather than superstition or unexplained causes, the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has noted.
The NRSA is therefore urging drivers to adhere strictly to designated speed limits to prevent avoidable deaths.
The Assistant Planning Manager of the Ho office of the NRSA, Bismarck Elorm Sacketey, stated that many drivers continue to ignore prescribed speed limits, leading to a surge in crashes that are often wrongly attributed to superstition.
“Most people say it is the devil, but the reality is simple — over-speeding is the cause,” he said.
He explained that every road and town has an approved speed limit, ranging from 30 km/h in populated areas to 100 km/h on motorways, and any attempt to exceed these limits constitutes over-speeding.
“These limits exist for a reason. Once they are ignored, danger follows,” he emphasised.
Mr. Sacketey revealed that recent statistics indicate that 60 percent of road crashes are caused by over-speeding. He described the trend as “a very worrying phenomenon, yet very common,” noting that higher speeds increase the likelihood of collisions and worsen the impact when crashes occur.
According to him, over-speeding also reduces a driver’s ability to brake effectively in emergencies. He explained that a driver attempting to avoid a pedestrian, animal, or obstacle may find the vehicle unresponsive at high speeds, resulting in serious casualties and property damage.
He added that in many cases, the consequences extend beyond injuries and fatalities to damage to vehicles, shops, roadside structures, and other public infrastructure.
“It is not only lives we lose; properties and livelihoods are destroyed too,” he said.
Mr. Sacketey urged drivers to be more cautious, disciplined, and considerate on the road, stressing that compliance with speed regulations is one of the most effective ways to reduce accident rates.
“Let us all be thoughtful when driving. Adhering to the appropriate speed limits will help curb this menace and save lives,” he advised.
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