If you have ever walked along a busy street in Ghana, you’ve probably come across several road signs, including the zebra crossing – the familiar black and white stripes meant to protect pedestrians. What lingers more often in the minds of pedestrians when they get to the point where they have to cross the road is whether drivers stop for pedestrians to let them cross. For many Ghanaians, the answer is a resounding “no!”
According to the Ghana Highway Code, drivers are supposed to slow down and stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings. Yet, in Ghana’s urban cities, especially Accra and Kumasi, zebra crossings often go unnoticed or completely ignored. Pedestrians run instead of walking across them in fear for their lives.
Recent studies by the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) show that 60% of pedestrian accidents in Ghana happen near or on zebra crossings. Less than 15% of drivers in urban areas stop when approaching a zebra crossing, and over 70% of pedestrians believe that zebra crossings do not guarantee their safety. These numbers paint a troubling picture. What should be a safe passage for walkers has become a high-risk zone.
There are several reasons why drivers rarely obey zebra crossings. According to experts, a lack of awareness means many drivers aren’t fully educated on pedestrian rights. Poor enforcement leads to traffic officers rarely penalizing drivers for ignoring crossings. Bad road culture encourages speeding and aggressive driving, making stopping at a crossing an inconvenience.
According to a 2022 news report by GBC, drivers indicated that passengers delay crossing the road when allowed, wasting their time, which leads them to miss out on passengers. Some pedestrians also expressed their views and experiences while trying to use the Zebra crossing. Most of them described the Zebra Cross as a death trap due to the dangers surrounding its usage.
Do Zebra crossings work?
In countries like the UK, Japan, and South Africa, strict traffic laws ensure zebra crossings are respected and effective. But in Ghana, without proper enforcement and awareness campaigns, these crossings remain dangerous instead of helpful.
What needs to change?
Experts suggest better enforcement, where police should fine drivers who fail to stop at crossings. Public education is needed so drivers and pedestrians can be trained on road safety. Traffic lights at major zebra crossings could help force vehicles to slow down at key intersections. In Ghana, zebra crossings should mean safety, not a race against speeding cars. Until drivers start respecting pedestrian rights, the black and white stripes on the road might as well be just decorative paint.
