Indiscipline among motorcyclists

Indiscipline among motorcyclists

The rise in the use of motorcycles and tricycles, commonly known as “okada” and “aboboyaa,” respectively, has brought about new challenges in road safety. Many motorcyclists disregard traffic rules; they run red lights with impunity, ride on sidewalks and carry more passengers than allowed without wearing helmets.

These behaviours not only disrupt traffic flow but also lead to frequent crashes. In 2023, the MTTD reported that motorcyclists were involved in nearly 30 per cent of road crashes in Accra.

Strict regulation, licensing and training for motorcyclists are essential to address this issue. Initiatives such as ‘TrafficTech Gh’ implemented by the Ghana Police Service is apt and should be sustained to punish such reckless behaviours.

Public transport drivers, particularly those operating tro-tros (minibuses) and taxis, are notorious for their indiscipline. They often stop abruptly to pick up or drop off passengers, disregard traffic signals and overload their vehicles.

The pressure to maximise profits leads many of these drivers to adopt unsafe driving practices. The chaotic scenes at major bus terminals such as Circle and Kaneshie in Accra exemplify this issue.

Here, drivers compete aggressively for passengers, leading to frequent altercations and hazardous driving. The situation is further complicated by the lack of a robust regulatory framework for the informal transport sector.