“Road safety is not just about protecting people’s lives; it is about protecting their rights. The right to life, security, and dignity should not be compromised by preventable accidents.”

Across the globe, road safety is increasingly recognized as a pressing human rights issue. Road traffic fatalities are a leading cause of death and injury worldwide, undermining fundamental human rights. In low- and middle-income countries, including many across Africa, the impact is disproportionately high. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.35 million people die annually in road traffic accidents globally, with low- and middle-income countries accounting for over 90% of these fatalities. The right to life, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 3), is violated by the road carnage that continues to plague the African continent. 

For African countries, road safety is more than an infrastructure issue; it is a human rights challenge, where access to safe transport systems is a matter of life and death. Ghana, a key country in West Africa, exemplifies the challenges faced by many African nations in ensuring that road safety measures meet international human rights standards. 

Global Context: Road Traffic Deaths and Human Rights

Road traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of death globally, and as urbanization and motorization increase, the risks continue to grow. WHO’s Global Status Report on Road Safety 2022 notes that road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for young people aged 5-29 years. The situation is even more alarming in low-income countries, where road traffic fatalities per capita are nearly three times higher than in high-income countries. While countries such as Sweden and the United Kingdom have made significant progress in reducing road deaths, sub-Saharan Africa is still facing an uphill battle. 

This is a human rights issue. As outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.6, the global community has committed to halving the number of deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030. This target is crucial for protecting the fundamental rights of citizens to life, health, and physical integrity. 

African Context: Road Safety Crisis

The region accounts for nearly one-fifth of all road deaths globally, despite being home to only 15% of the world’s population, and 3% of its vehicles. The continent’s road infrastructure, along with weak enforcement of traffic laws, inadequate safety measures, and the rising number of vehicles, has led to a road safety crisis. According to the World Bank, the road traffic death rate in Africa stands at 26.6 per 100,000 people: significantly higher than the global average of 18.2 per 100,000. 

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) has raised alarm over the lack of basic road safety standards and the absence of well-maintained roads, particularly in rural and remote areas. With the rapid increase in population and urbanization, road traffic fatalities and injuries continue to increase, disproportionately affecting the poorest and most vulnerable, violating their basic human rights. 

Source: South Africa: 20 dead in collision between bus and armored car | Africanews  

West Africa: A Region in Distress

West Africa has one of the highest rates of road fatalities in the world. According to the World Bank, road accidents are a major public health and economic issue in the region. Countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire have reported alarming statistics on road deaths in recent years. The Global Status Report on Road Safety 2022 indicates that road traffic injuries and deaths in West Africa have been on the rise due to poor infrastructure, unsafe vehicles, and ineffective traffic law enforcement. 

In 2020, the number of fatalities from road traffic accidents in West Africa exceeded 10,000, with many of these deaths linked to road conditions, driver behavior, and lack of proper enforcement of traffic laws. For example, Nigeria, with its large population and growing motor vehicle numbers, recorded more than 6,000 road fatalities in 2020, making it one of the most dangerous countries for road users in West Africa. 

Ghana: Road Safety and Human Rights Challenges

Ghana, situated in West Africa, mirrors many of the challenges faced by its regional neighbors. According to the Ghana Police Service, road traffic accidents claimed the lives of 2,080 people in 2020, an increase of 6% from the previous year. The situation worsened in 2021, with the country experiencing a significant surge in road fatalities, with reports of over 2,300 deaths attributed to road traffic accidents. According to the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, Ghana recorded 14,135 road crashes in 2023, resulting in 2,276 fatalities and 15,409 injuries. The Ghana Road Safety Commission (GRSC) has indicated that 70% of the fatalities are pedestrians, while commercial drivers account for a significant portion of the accidents. 

Human Rights Implications of Road Carnage in Ghana: 

1. The Right to Life: As enshrined in Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the right to life is one of the most fundamental human rights. The growing number of road traffic fatalities in Ghana is a direct violation of this right. In many cases, these deaths are preventable through improved infrastructure, better law enforcement, and safer driving practices.
2. The Right to Health and Well-Being (SDG 3): Road traffic injuries often result in long-term disabilities, imposing a substantial burden on individuals and their families. The right to health, as outlined in SDG 3, is compromised when individuals suffer from preventable injuries that affect their physical and mental well-being.
3. The Right to Protection from Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment (UDHR, Article 5): The failure to address road safety comprehensively leaves individuals exposed to inhuman and degrading treatment. Road accidents that result in fatalities or long-term injuries often lead to severe physical suffering and emotional trauma, particularly when these incidents could have been prevented with proper infrastructure and safety measures. 

Causes of Road Carnage in Ghana: A Human Rights Perspective

The road carnage in Ghana is driven by a combination of systemic issues: 

1. Poor Road Infrastructure: Inadequate road infrastructure is a key contributor to road fatalities. Many roads in Ghana, especially in rural areas and less developed districts, are poorly maintained. Potholes, lack of signage, poor lighting, and absence of pedestrian walkways create hazards for drivers and pedestrians alike.
2. Unsafe Driving Practices: Reckless driving, speeding, and the failure to use seat belts are prevalent in Ghana. Commercial drivers, in particular, contribute to many of the fatalities, often engaging in unsafe driving practices, including driving while fatigued and overloading.
3. Weak Law Enforcement: The enforcement of road safety laws remains weak. Despite the presence of road safety laws, the lack of effective enforcement mechanisms, coupled with corruption within the traffic police force, means that violations go unpunished, perpetuating unsafe road behaviors.
4. Overloading and Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Overloading, particularly in the public transport sector, is a common issue in Ghana. Many vehicles are not properly maintained, contributing to road accidents. Overloaded vehicles, particularly buses and trucks, are more likely to experience mechanical failure, leading to catastrophic accidents.

Recommendations: A Human Rights Approach to Road Safety in Ghana

1. Infrastructure Development and Maintenance: The government must prioritize the development and maintenance of roads, particularly in high-risk areas. Roads should be equipped with proper signage, pedestrian walkways, and streetlights. Regular maintenance of roads is critical to ensuring that they remain safe for all users. 
2. Strengthening Law Enforcement: The government should strengthen the enforcement of road safety laws. This includes increased patrols, the installation of speed cameras, and the introduction of more stringent penalties for traffic violations. Enhanced law enforcement can reduce reckless driving and improve overall road safety.
3. Safer Public Transport: Public transport vehicles should undergo regular safety checks, and overloading should be strictly prohibited. The government should work with private and public transport companies to implement safety standards and ensure that vehicles are properly maintained.
4. Investment in Driver Training and Education: A rigorous driver education system should be implemented to ensure that all drivers are well-trained and aware of road safety regulations. This training should be updated regularly, especially for commercial drivers who are often at the forefront of traffic accidents. 

Bright Yom Dzeshie