With barely a month to end the year, it has emerged that some 434 persons lost their lives to road accidents, in the Ashanti Region, between January and November 2020, according to data from the Regional Police Motor, Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD).

The statistics shows an increase of 100 more deaths on the road compared to the figure of 334 deaths recorded between January and October 2019, showing an increase in road accident death rate of 29.9 percent, in 2020.

The Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP David Agyemang Adjem, at a recent engagement disclosed that at least one life is lost daily through road accidents in the region, from a minimum of 10 road accidents.

He said from 10 accidents which occurs almost daily, some 13 injuries are recorded.

Globally, it is estimated that about 1.35 million people lose their lives through road accidents yearly, while up to 50 million are seriously injured in road traffic crashes.

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) in a statement, to mark the ‘World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic or Accident Victims,’ said “these tragedies tear apart families and communities.”

It said “there is the need to come together to remember our loved ones lost through road traffic accidents, crash survivors and commit to ACT to prevent traffic crashes or road accidents”.

“Road accidents and its resultant loss of lives are largely preventable with the right interventions and carefulness.”

Therefore, in line with activities to mark the “Global Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims,” the KMA in collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) and Partnership for Healthy Cities (PHC) will observe the occasion on November 16, 2020 at the Accident & Emergency Unit, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).

The ceremony will be under the theme “Remember. Support. ACT.”

Against this backdrop, the KMA has appealed to all road safety advocates, Civil Society Organisations, religious bodies, NGOs, Transport Unions and individuals to take note and act.

“Remember those we have lost through road crashes, support their families, talk against road crashes, advise our road users and above all, ACT in a positive way that will help reduce the road accidents during this election and yuletide period to prevent further loss of lives and property.”

It also reminded drivers and motor riders not drink and drive or drive when tired, while advocating for the wearing of seatbelt, helmet, nose masks and adherence to road traffic regulations and signs.

The United Nations has designated the third Sunday in November, each year as a “Global Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.” The day is set aside for advocacy against road traffic injury prevention which is observed by selected cities in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Road Safety collaboration encourage governments, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) around the world and individuals to celebrate this day.

The rationale for the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is to remind people of the damage caused by road accidents, and bring together officials, family members of victims, crash survivors, communities, media and others affected by traffic crashes to speak out and demand for change.