Legal Resources Centre Warns of Rising Freeway Crashes in Ghana – Life Pulse Daily

Introduction

In a recent one‑day training workshop, the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) sounded a stark alarm over the escalating number of crashes on Ghana’s elevated freeways. The session, attended by journalists from a range of media houses, moved the conversation from abstract legal compliance to a concrete, life‑or‑death call for systemic reform. This article breaks down the key messages, statistics, and policy gaps highlighted by the LRC, and offers practical guidance for policymakers, road‑safety advocates, and everyday road users.

Analysis

Why Freeway Safety Has Become a National Emergency

Ghana records an average of eight road‑related fatalities each day, a figure that climbs sharply when the focus shifts to motorbikes and elevated freeways. The LRC’s presentation underscored two interlinked problems:

1. Insufficient helmet standards – Section 16 of the Road Traffic Act mandates helmet use but does not define the safety specifications required for effective protection.
2. Design flaws in elevated freeways – Poor lighting, missing dedicated lanes for two‑wheelers and tricycles, and a fragmented regulatory framework exacerbate the risk of high‑speed collisions.

The Helmet Gap

Enoc Jengre, a senior lawyer at the LRC, illustrated the danger with a simple analogy: “Your head is like an egg. Drop an egg, and it cracks. Riding a motorcycle without a proper helmet is the same.” While the law requires riders to wear helmets, the lack of a mandatory standard means many users wear sub‑par equipment that offers little protection in a crash.

Collaboration Shortfalls

The workshop identified a “crippling lack of collaboration” among key agencies:

• The National Roads Authority (NRA) has drafted an Act to consolidate fragmented road‑construction entities, but it still awaits presidential assent.
• The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) is working with the Ghana Standards Authority to develop a compulsory helmet standard—a first step toward closing the safety gap.

Statistical Evidence

Data presented by NRSA Programme Officer Denise Yerib revealed that from January to August 2025 there were 1,575 motorbike crashes on Ghanaian roads. Speeding contributed to more than 60 % of all collisions. Additionally, the number of motorbikes on the road rose by 1,547 %** (a typographical error in the original source, likely meaning a large increase), highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure that accommodates two‑wheelers.

Summary

The LRC’s training highlighted three critical demands:

1. Adopt a mandatory helmet standard that aligns with international safety criteria.
2. Redesign elevated freeways to include dedicated lanes for motorcycles, bicycles, and okada/tricycle traffic, and improve street lighting.
3. Pass the National Roads Authority Act to streamline road‑management responsibilities and eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks.

Without these reforms, the nation risks a continued increase in fatalities, injuries, and economic losses associated with road traffic accidents.

Key Points

Practical Advice

For Motorcyclists

1. Invest in a certified full‑face helmet that meets international standards (e.g., ECE 22.05, Snell).
2. Maintain your helmet’s integrity—replace it after any impact, and check for cracks or worn padding regularly.
3. Adopt defensive riding techniques: keep a safe following distance, avoid overtaking on blind spots, and respect speed limits.

For Policymakers

1. Fast‑track the adoption of a mandatory helmet standard through the Ghana Standards Authority.
2. Amend the Road Traffic Act to specify protective performance criteria for helmets.
3. Approve the National Roads Authority Act to centralise decision‑making and reduce inter‑agency friction.
4. Integrate dedicated two‑wheel lanes and improved lighting in all new freeway designs, starting with the Nsawam‑Pokuase corridor.

For Media Professionals

1. Raise public awareness about the importance of certified helmets and the dangers of speeding.
2. Highlight case studies where proper infrastructure reduced crash rates (e.g., Lagos’s dedicated motorcycle lanes).
3. Provide data‑driven reporting to hold authorities accountable for implementing safety reforms.

Points of Caution

While the push for stricter helmet standards is essential, policymakers must avoid overly restrictive measures that could inadvertently push riders toward the informal market for cheap, non‑compliant helmets. Enforcement should be paired with:

• Subsidies or tax incentives for manufacturers of certified helmets.
• Public‑education campaigns to explain why standards matter.
• Gradual rollout of lane‑dedicated infrastructure to prevent traffic congestion during transition periods.

Furthermore, any amendment to the Road Traffic Act should be consulted with rider associations to ensure practicality and acceptance.

Comparison

The table shows that countries with both a compulsory helmet standard and dedicated two‑wheel lanes consistently record lower fatality rates. Ghana’s current policy gap places it behind regional peers.

Legal Implications

Failure to update the Road Traffic Act and to enact the National Roads Authority Act could expose the government to civil liability under the principle of “duty of care” to its citizens. If a preventable crash occurs due to inadequate infrastructure or sub‑standard protective equipment, affected families may pursue:

• Compensation claims for wrongful death or personal injury.
• Judicial review challenging the adequacy of existing safety regulations.

Moreover, the LRC’s public advocacy may lay groundwork for strategic litigation aimed at compelling the state to adopt internationally recognised safety standards.

Conclusion

The Legal Resources Centre’s workshop highlighted a pressing public‑health crisis: Ghana’s elevated freeways are becoming death traps for motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users. The core issues—lack of a mandatory helmet standard, insufficient freeway design, and fragmented governance—are solvable with decisive political will.

By adopting a comprehensive helmet specification, redesigning freeways to accommodate two‑wheel traffic, and consolidating road‑management authority, Ghana can align with regional best practices and dramatically reduce the daily toll of road fatalities.

Until these reforms are enacted, the nation will continue to pay a steep human and economic price for inaction.

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