The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced plans to install speed humps along the 400-metre Guggisberg Extension in the Ablekuma South Sub-Metropolitan District to reduce speeding among drivers and curb the increasing rate of road crashes in the area.
The decision follows a surge in road traffic deaths in recent months along the stretch due to the absence of traffic calming measures, coupled with speeding by motorists, prompting calls for immediate action.
Mayor of Accra, Hon. Elizabeth Naa Kwatsoe Sackey announced this when she visited Miss Sylvia Dravie, a 36-year-old trader and businesswoman, who sustained severe injuries to the chest in the early hours of Monday 26th February 2024 when an unregistered Toyota 4×4 driver recklessly drove into her residence.
She emphasized the importance of prioritizing road safety measures to protect lives and property adding that the decision to install the speed humps along Guggisberg Extension follows a thorough assessment conducted by the AMA in collaboration with relevant transportation authorities.
She disclosed that the assessment highlighted areas prone to road crashes and identified the installation of speed humps as a crucial intervention to address the issue effectively stressing that the safety of residents was a topmost priority for the Assembly.
The Mayor who was accompanied by the Metro Roads Director, the Metro NADMO Coordinator, the Head of Public Affairs, as well as a team from the Bloomberg Philanthropies for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), reiterated the AMA’s commitment to implementing comprehensive road safety measures, including regular maintenance of road infrastructure, enforcement of traffic regulations, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to address underlying issues contributing to road crashes in the metropolises.
“The safety of our citizens is paramount, and we are taking proactive measures to address concerns raised by recent incidents… We are considering the construction of speed humps along this stretch to reduce speeding and promote safer driving practices. By implementing these measures, we are committed to creating a road environment that prioritizes the well-being of all users. We urge motorists to adhere to speed limits and exercise caution, as we work towards preventing such tragedies on our roads… Speeding not only endangers lives but also devastates families and communities. As we extend our support to the victim and their loved ones, let us collectively commit to responsible driving practices and creating safer streets for all,” she said.
‘’As Accra continues to experience rapid urbanization and increased vehicular traffic, initiatives aimed at enhancing road safety are crucial to safeguarding the well-being of residents and promoting sustainable urban development. The AMA’s decision to construct speed humps on Guggisberg Extension represents a significant step towards achieving these objectives and ensuring safer roads for all,’’ she added.
She used the opportunity to admonish drivers to exercise caution, reduce their speed and adhere to speed limits at all times to reduce the rate of crashes in the city.
‘’Excessive speed dangers the lives of all and sundry, it reduces reaction time and increases the severity of crashes often resulting in tragic consequences that could have been prevented…So we want to call on all drivers as a matter of urgency to reduce their speed and the increasing rate of road crashes in the city,’’ she said.
