Road crashes kill 2,924 in 2021 – 12.94% increase over 2020

• Posted on January 11, 2022January 11, 2022
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Provisional data compiled by the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) has revealed that the number of commuters killed in road traffic crashes in 2021 rose by 12.94% compared to 2020.

2,589 killed in 2020
A total of 2,924 commuters were killed last year in road crashes compared to the 2,589 killed in 2020.

Additional 335 more killed compared to 2020
This means that 335 additional commuters were killed in road crashes last year than in 2020.

2,381 males killed
The data also shows that 2,381 males made up of 262 below the ages of 18 and 2,119 who are 18 years and above were killed.

543 females killed 
Similarly, 543 females comprising 137 who are 18 years and below, as well as 406, aged 18 years and above, also died from road crashes.

831 (28.4%) of person killed were pedestrians
Out of the 2,924 killed last year, 831 representing 28.4% of all fatalities were as a result of pedestrian knockdowns.

1,266 (43.2%) killed by motorcycles
According to the data, 1,266 commuters, representing 43.2% of all fatalities, were caused by motorcycles which have lower occupancy.

997 (34%) killed by commercial vehicles
Per the data, commercial vehicles killed 997 commuters, and this represents 34% of total fatalities. 

661 (22.6%) killed by private vehicles
The data also revealed that 661 travellers, representing 22.6%, were killed by private vehicles.  

7,295 (46.5%) injured by commercial vehicles
Of the 15,680 road crashes injuries in 2021, commercial vehicles recorded the highest injuries of 7,295, which amounts to 46.5% of total injuries recorded.

4,758 (30.3%) injured by motorcycles
Surprisingly, motorcycles which have lower occupancy recorded the second-highest injuries totalling 4,758, which represent 30.3% of total injuries.

3,627 (23.1%) injured by private vehicles
Private vehicles accounted for 3,627 injuries, representing 23.1% of all injuries last year.

2,099 (13.3%) pedestrians injured 
The data shows that out of the 15,680 road crash injuries, 2,099 representing 13.3% were pedestrians.

15,680 injured in crashes 
In respect of the number of persons injured, it rose by 1.05% from 15,517 in 2020 to 15,680 last year.

28,152 vehicles involved in crashes (11.93% rise)
Meanwhile, the total number of vehicles involved in crashes also increased from 25,152 in 2020 to 28,152 last year, representing 11.93% rise.

10,381 commercial vehicles involved in crashes (10.96% rise)
In the same vein, commercial vehicles that crashed witnessed 10.96% spike from 9,355 in 2020   to 10,381 last year.

11,668 private vehicles involved in crashes (15.39% rise)
The total number of private vehicles involved in accident also increased from 10,112 in 2020 to 11,668 last year, an increase of 15.39%.

5,528 motorcycles involved in crashes (7.37% rise)
The number of motorcycles that crashed also went up by 7.37% from 5,684 in 2020 to 6,103 last year.

15,972 reported crashes (7.44% rise)  
Also, the total number of reported crashes rose by 7.44% to 15,972 last year from 14,866 in 2020.

By Elvis DARKO, Accra