Director of Research, Training, and Education at the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Alexander Obeng, says motorcycle crashes now account for 49 out of every 100 road deaths recorded in the country.
He said this marks a significant shift from previous trends, when vehicle-related crashes accounted for the majority of road fatalities.
According to ACP Obeng, the growing number of deaths linked to motorcycle crashes is worrying and calls for intensified public education and sensitisation to help curb the menace.
Speaking on Adom TV’s The Big Agenda, he welcomed the amendment of the Road Traffic Act to regulate the commercial use of motorcycles in the country.
He explained that under the new regulations, motorcycles used for commercial purposes will be issued commercial number plates, similar to those assigned to commercial vehicles.
ACP Obeng said prospective commercial motorbike operators are also undergoing training to familiarise themselves with the relevant regulations, including the dos and don’ts of using the roads.
He expressed optimism that the measures would help improve compliance and reduce crashes involving commercial motorcycles.
He further explained that under the amended Legislative Instrument (LI), anyone seeking to operate a commercial motorcycle, popularly known as an okada, must belong to a recognised union before obtaining a licence.
According to him, applicants who are not members of a union will not be issued licences to operate commercial motorcycles.
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