Over the weekend, a tragic road accident in East Legon claimed two lives, raising serious concerns about road safety and the prevalence of speeding in the area, especially in residential areas such as East Legon.
The incident occurred near Omama Shop, where two vehicles, an Acura and a Jaguar collided, leading to a devastating fire that left the victims trapped in the wreckage.
Data from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) indicates that over 14,000 road traffic crashes occurred in Ghana from January to August 2024. The total number of accident cases reported on Ghana’s roads was 8,653, and the total number of vehicles engaged in road traffic accidents is 14,654.
The NRSA details that the 4 regions that have had the most accidents from January to August 2024 are the Greater Accra Region, Ashanti Region, Eastern Region and Central Region, and these 4 account for approximately 70-75% of the total number of road traffic crash cases. They added that the top 4 regions in the way of fatalities are the Ashanti Region, Eastern Region, Greater Accra Region and Western Region, respectively.
An eyewitness of the East Legon accident, Baiden Nanaor, a security guard at the Batoul Pharmacy, who spoke to our team recounted the harrowing details of the crash.
“I was inside the pharamacy and i heard a loud sound, when i came out i saw two vehicles; a jaguar and an accura with flames coming out of the accura. A dispatch rider and another okada rider went to rescue the ladies who were trapped in the accura. The driver and another in the front seat were rescued but the other two at the back were strapped in seat bealts and were not able to be rescued” the eyewitness said as he recounted the events of the accident.
This incident has reignited calls for stricter measures to curb overspeeding, especially on stretches like the East Legon road, which has been identified as a hotspot for reckless driving.
Some drivers who use the East Legon road regularly, have voiced their concerns about the lack of effective speed control measures. They pointed to broken traffic lights and the absence of speed rumps as contributing factors to the frequent incidents of overspeeding.
One driver remarked, “The young boys who drive their vehicles on the road drive recklessly. There are no speed rumps to slow down the cars, and the broken traffic lights make it even worse. Something has to be done before more lives are lost.”
Calls for intervention have grown louder, with residents and drivers urging local authorities to take immediate action. The installation of installing speed bumps and fixing malfunctioning traffic lights as practical steps to enhance road safety and prevent further tragedies are among some measures proposed by these drivers in curbing the menace.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has commenced an investigation into the accident. According to police preliminary Police investigation reports, the suspect driver, identified as Salifu Amoako, rammed his vehicle into another vehicle on Dzanie Ashie Street at East Legon.
In a statement released by the police on Monday, October 15, indicated that the suspect driver and other surviving victims, who sustained various degrees of injuries, are currently receiving medical attention.
However, one of the surviving victims has since been treated and discharged, while the bodies of the deceased victims, who were burnt beyond recognition, have been deposited at the morgue for preservation and autopsy,
As investigations into the weekend’s accident continue, it is hoped that decisive action will be taken to address the concerns raised by the community and make the roads safer for all.
Watch MX24 News report here