Ghana has collectively failed to address road safety, with the problem now constituting a national concern that demands urgent and sustained attention, the President of the Accident Victims Support Foundation, Reverend Cyril Benedict Crabbe, has said.
Speaking to Joy Prime on Tuesday, 30 December 2025, Rev Crabbe criticised what he described as a largely reactive approach to road safety, arguing that authorities have focused more on punishment than on long-term education and prevention.
According to him, while enforcement is important, education remains the most effective tool for reducing road crashes and fatalities.
“Road safety is not just about punishment. If we truly want to save lives, education must be at the centre of our efforts,” he said.
Rev Crabbe recalled that the introduction of motor courts in the past played a significant role in reducing road accidents, as offenders were compelled to face the consequences of their actions. However, he noted that discipline among road users has declined steadily over the years, a situation he attributed to weak enforcement and a growing culture of indiscipline on Ghana’s roads.
He expressed concern over what he described as disturbing scenes at accident sites, particularly involving motor riders, where victims are sometimes left unattended while onlookers, including some law enforcement officers, fail to act.
“Such attitudes reflect a deeper problem of apathy and a lack of responsibility towards human life,” he said.
The accident victims advocate also threw his support behind calls by road safety experts, including Dr Hoger, for the establishment of dedicated driving schools across the country. He argued that offenders should be sent for retraining rather than being rushed through the courts, as education would be more effective in correcting dangerous driving behaviour.
Rev Crabbe further called for periodic training and re-certification of drivers, pointing out that vehicle technology and road systems continue to evolve.
“Without continuous learning, many drivers are unable to adapt, and that increases the risk of crashes,” he said.
He stressed that road safety should be treated as a national development issue rather than merely a transport-related concern, given its impact on public health, productivity and family welfare.
Rev Crabbe urged government, law enforcement agencies and civil society organisations to invest in a comprehensive road safety strategy that prioritises education, enforcement and emergency response.
He added that making road safety a national priority, backed by adequate funding, could significantly reduce accidents and fatalities, save lives and ease the burden on families and the healthcare system.