Motorists in Accra have raised concerns over the disappearance of essential road markings across the city. These markings, which play a crucial role in guiding traffic and ensuring road safety, are either missing or so faded they’re barely visible.
This troubling development has contributed to a rise in road accidents and confusion among drivers.
Driving through the streets of Accra, one quickly noticed a recurring scene: drivers confused, arguing, or forced to make split-second decisions on the road. Without clear lane divisions or pedestrian crossings, the roads have become a chaotic free-for-all.
From Lapaz to Asylum Down and Circle to Kaneshie, once-visible lane markers have faded into obscurity. In areas like Awoshie, Ablekuma, Odorkor, and Bubuashie, road markings are completely absent, creating dangerous driving conditions for both motorists and pedestrians.
Without proper visual guidance, drivers frequently swerve unexpectedly, switch lanes without signalling, and ignore pedestrian crossings, putting lives at risk.
In conversations with drivers, many expressed frustration, saying the lack of clear road indicators has made daily commuting more stressful and hazardous.
“It is a very problematic situation for us as drivers, especially when you are moving from a linked road to a main road. When not cautious, your car can get hit by an incoming vehicle. When you consider Tudu and its surroundings, just one road has been marked. As for Accra, it is very scarce, and it causes a lot of accidents, so the government has to look at it and do it,” one driver, Prince Quansah, mentioned.
Atukwey Klottey, who is also a driver who plies the Accra road, added, “There are no road marks in Accra, we just drive with instincts and wisdom. The Roads Minister must make his tour on the roads and take inventory of all the roads without signs and do it for us.
“Zebra cross walks are very scarce on our roads, so we drivers have to stop at vantage points and allow pedestrians to pass even though that is not what the law says. The Roads Minister must carefully tackle this issue.”
John Anhful, a station driver, stated, “Some drivers force their way into different lanes when the police are not stationed by the roads. When the driver who has right of way refuses to let him pass, then it can cause an accident. However, when the lanes are properly marked, it will prevent any confusion.”
Adding to the concern, the Public Relations Officer for the National Road Safety Authority echoed the motorists’ frustrations and emphasized the risks that come with unmarked roads, highlighting how poor road demarcation contributes to accidents and endangers lives.
“In some cases, the drivers are aware of what the marks on the road mean. However, without the road indicator, they get confused. The road marks have to be worked on to create clarity,” she said.
Off the record, a road engineer from the Department of Urban Roads attributed the missing markings to poor road surfaces in some areas. However, she assured that efforts are underway to repaint and restore road markings citywide.