The Upper East Regional Office of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has urged motorists, motorbike riders and transport operators to strictly adhere to speed limits as the Christmas and New Year festivities draw near.

Acting Regional Head of the Authority, Eric Anokye Fordjour, said the festive period typically records a rise in road traffic crashes, many of which are caused by speeding and disregard for basic road safety rules.

He stressed that compliance with speed regulations remains one of the most effective ways to prevent crashes and save lives.

“We are calling on our drivers and motorbike riders to always drive within speed limits,” he told the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of a sensitisation programme on the introduction of the new vehicle registration number plates.

The sensitisation exercise, organised by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), brought together motorbike dealers, police officials, members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), and other transport sector stakeholders.

Mr. Fordjour expressed concern over the persistent refusal of some motorbike riders to wear crash helmets and the failure of drivers and passengers to use seat belts. He said these practices greatly increase fatalities and injury severity during accidents.

He announced that the NRSA would be working closely with Municipal and District Assemblies, as well as the Ghana Police Service, to intensify enforcement of road safety regulations during the yuletide.

The Acting Regional Head revealed troubling statistics: between January and November 2025, the Upper East Region recorded 80 road traffic crashes, resulting in 51 deaths and 115 serious injuries.

“These are the recorded cases, but we know some went unreported,” he noted. “So we are appealing to the motoring public to obey traffic regulations. It will save everybody.”

The NRSA says it will continue sensitisation and enforcement efforts to ensure a safer holiday season for all road users.