Officials in the Upper East Region are raising concern over reckless riding among young people and low compliance with helmet use, warning that such behavior continues to fuel road crashes and fatalities.
Speaking on Dreamz FM, National Road Safety Authority officials said many motorbike riders ignore basic safety rules, often offering excuses for not wearing helmets.
“People are aware that they should wear crash helmets, but they give different reasons,” said Assistant Planning Manager Osei Kwarteng. “Some say it is uncomfortable or heavy, but that does not justify the risk.”
Kwarteng said enforcement exercises conducted with police have led to arrests of riders, including minors found operating motorbikes illegally. In such cases, parents are held accountable for allowing children to ride.
“Minor riders contribute significantly to accidents because their knowledge of road safety is minimal,” he said.
Authorities have stepped up interventions, including roadside education campaigns, school outreach programs and collaborations with police and fire services, particularly ahead of high-traffic periods like Easter.
Regional Head Eric Anokye Fordjour also highlighted cultural attitudes toward safety compliance, noting that individuals who consistently wear helmets are often seen as unusual.
“People who do the right thing are sometimes viewed as abnormal,” he said. “But wearing a helmet every time you ride is the correct practice.”
Officials warned that enforcement alone is not enough and stressed the need for sustained public education to change behavior.
“Road safety is largely about awareness,” Kwarteng said. “If we strictly enforced helmet laws, up to 90 percent of riders could be arrested.”
The authority urged the public to adopt safer road habits, emphasizing that careless behavior by one road user can have fatal consequences for others.
