Accra, Ghana Road traffic safety suffered a dramatic and tragic reversal during 2025, with many countries reporting soaring crashes and fatalities that mark the year as one of the most deadly in decades.
Ghana Records Highest Fatalities in 35 Years
In Ghana, the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) recently released statistics showing 2,949 people were killed in road crashes in 2025, the highest number recorded in 35 years. This figure represents a worrying 18.2 % increase in deaths compared with 2024, and crash cases and injuries also rose sharply.
“Almost 3,000 people lost their lives on our roads last year… a wake-up call for stronger enforcement and public cooperation,” NRSA officials said.
The deaths occurred across 14,743 reported crashes, injuring over 16,700 people. Pedestrians remained highly vulnerable, with knockdowns increasing year-on-year.
Ghana’s cumulative road deaths since 1991 now exceed 63,000, underscoring the long-term impact of unsafe roads and behavior.
Global and Regional Toll Rises Sharply
Across many parts of the world, 2025 saw troubling trends:
Nigeria: The Federal Road Safety Corps reported that driver behavior including fatigue, phone use while driving, and overloading was linked to more than 3,400 deaths in crashes between January and September 2025.
Ireland: Road deaths rose by 8% in 2025 compared with 2024, with cyclist and motorcyclist fatalities hitting their highest levels in years, according to the Road Safety Authority.
India (Uttar Pradesh): By May 2025, official data recorded more than 13,000 road accidents and nearly 7,700 deaths in the state a sharp warning about the country’s ongoing road safety challenges.
Deadly Crashes Highlight the Crisis
2025 was also marked by several particularly severe single events that underscore the global road safety crisis:
In Afghanistan, a multi-vehicle collision involving a bus, motorcycle and fuel truck in Herat Province killed at least 79 people, including children among the deadliest crashes of the year.
In Saudi Arabia, a bus crash near Medina claimed 45 lives when a vehicle carrying pilgrims collided with another and caught fire.
In Bolivia, a bus plunged off a mountain road in Yocalla, killing 31 people, while Malaysia’s Gerik collision took 15 student lives in another tragic road accident.
Why 2025 Was so Deadly
Road safety experts say several factors contributed to the spike in crashes and deaths:
Driver behavior: Speeding, distracted driving, and fatigue remain persistent killers.
Infrastructure gaps: Roads in many regions lack safety features such as median barriers, pedestrian crossings and good lighting.
Enforcement deficits: Limited traffic policing, weak enforcement of helmet and seatbelt laws and inadequate penalties drive risky behavior.
Vulnerable road users: Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and public transport passengers account for a disproportionate share of fatalities.
Calls for Urgent Action
International agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), continue to highlight road traffic injuries as a leading cause of death worldwide and have called for a renewal of safety campaigns and investments. A global plan adopted by the UN aims to cut road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 % by 2030, but reversing the 2025 spike will require accelerated action.
Conclusion
The road safety landscape in 2025 proved alarmingly severe, with Ghana experiencing its worst year in over three decades and many other countries reporting significant increases in crashes and fatalities. While global efforts aim to reduce road-related deaths, policymakers, communities and road users must address the immediate causes of these rising fatalities to ensure safer travel in the years ahead.
Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical Science communicator.
Private Investigator and Criminal
Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,
International Conflict Management and Peace Building. Alumni Gandhi Global Academy United States Institute of Peace.
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