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Sixty-five persons died in the Upper East Region in 2018 according to statistics from the Regional branch of National Road Safety Commission (NRSC).

The figures included 10 females and 55 males. And out of a total of 198 accident cases recorded, 221 persons were injured.

During the year, 329 vehicles were involved in the road crashes; 132 motorbikes, 34 tricycles, 41 SUVs (4x4) vehicles, 37 saloon cars, 17 commercial mini buses while the rest were other commercial vehicles.

Mr Dennis Yeribu, the Planning Officer at the NRSC, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Bolgatanga that road crashes increased in the Region last year as compared to 2017, which recorded 181 cases resulting in 51 deaths and 171 injuries.

He said pedestrian knock downs were a factor that increased the death rates, which recorded nine deaths from 28 knock downs last year.

Mr Yeribu expressed concern about the trend of persons involved in road crashes annually and said: “Out of the 10 females who died, five were above the age of 18 while five were under 18 years. Two of the 55 males were under 18, while the others were above 18 years, and this clearly tells us that we are losing more breadwinners and energetic human resource base in the Region.”

He attributed the crashes to over speeding, overloading, alcoholism, and the use of faulty and non-roadworthy vehicles and the disregard for road traffic regulations and signs.