UER: PRESS RELEASE

NRSA CAUTIONS MOTORISTS AGAINST ALCOHOL, DRUG ABUSE DURING CHRISTMAS

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has cautioned all motorists and road users to refrain from alcohol and drug abuse during the Christmas festive season and after to reduce road traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths (CIDs) in the region.
The Christmas period is characterized by an increase in movement, celebrations, and travel.
This period also witnesses risky road behaviours, including driving or riding under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, slow reaction times, reduce alertness, and lead to non-compliance with road safety rules, leading to high road fatalities, particularly among youth who ride motorcycles. The NRSA by this release caution(s) all motorists to strictly adhere to Road Traffic Regulations 2012
(L.I. 2180), which prohibit driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including the provision of the Road Traffic Amendment Bill 2025, (passed by parliament,) which (regulates) the percentage of alcohol to be declared as under the influence of alcohol from 0.08 to 0.05.
Provisional statistic available at the Authority, gathered from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service in the Upper East Region indicates that the CIDs saw a reduction from January to November 2025 with 89 Crashes, 127 Injuries, and 58 Deaths
representing 22%, 27%, and 3.4 % reduction, respectively compared to the same period of 2024.

To safeguard lives, we strongly urge all road users to:
• Refrain from alcohol and drug consumption before and while driving or riding
• Designate a sober driver or choose alternative transport if you plan to drink
• Wear approved helmets and seat belts at all times
• Obey speed limits and all traffic regulations

It is essential for families, opinion leaders, riders, drivers, traditional authorities and politicians to join in championing this call for a substance-free yuletide while traveling on the roads. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Let this Christmas be remembered for tranquility and not for tragedy.

Issued by:
National Road Safety Authority (NRSA)
Upper East Regional Office,
Bolgatanga