WR: Drunk driving cited as major cause of accidents; 465 died in 2,800 accidents from Jan to Nov

The surge in road accidents in the Western Region has prompted Regional Minister Joseph Nelson to call for a comprehensive national policy framework to address the crisis.

Mr Nelson said this will help to reduce motor accidents.

He was speaking with reporters on the sidelines of a stakeholders meeting on ‘Safe and Responsible Driving During the Festive Season.’

“Listening to the police has clarified the necessary policy interventions. It is clear that enforcement is hampered by a lack of resources. Therefore, we must enhance the police’s capacity to check for drunk driving,” the Minister said on December 23.

The Western Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Division (MTTD), Superintendent Paul Bruce Amoah attributed the significant rise in accidents primarily to driver error.

The Western Region recorded 2,800 accidents with 465 fatalities from January to November, 2025. This represents a significant rise compared to the same period in 2024, when 1,119 vehicles were involved in road crashes.

Superintendent Paul Bruce Amoah disclosed that his office has begun sensitization campaigns for drivers at the various transport terminals. He indicated that majority of these accidents are still caused by human error.

He cited behaviors such as drunk driving, over speeding and unnecessary over taking as primary contributors.

“In the Western Region, we recorded 2,800 accidents with 465 fatalities between January and November. The vast majority, approximately 90 to 95 percent are attributable to driver error. This clearly indicates that human behavior is the predominant factor in our road safety crisis.”He said.

The two Police Regional Commanders for the Western and Western Central Commands echoed these concerns, highlighting a key operational challenge.

They explained that limited resources for conducting drunk driving tests are a major source of difficulty.

DCOP Frank Abrokwa, the Police Commander for the Western Region, highlighted a key operational challenge: “The breathalyzer equipment we use to check drivers’ alcohol levels is intended for health purposes and cannot be used for multiple individuals. Furthermore, we do not have enough units for widespread enforcement.”

This frustration is particularly acute during court proceedings.

DCOP Desmond Owusu Boampong, the Police Commander for the Western Central Police Command, elaborated on the issue, stating that officers often feel demoralized.

“After we confirm a driver is over the limit, process the case, and go to court, they are sometimes fined a mere 30 to 60 cedis,” he said. “Such negligible penalties dampen our morale and undermine our efforts to get drunk drivers off the road.”

Furthermore, the law itself must send an unequivocal message: drinking and driving is unacceptable and will be met with serious consequences.”

Ghana recorded 13,000 accidents from January to November, 2025 with 2,600 fatalities.