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Abstract
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Introduction
Road traffic collisions kill more than many diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa with the youth, particularly those between 15-29 years, being the most vulnerable group due to their risk-taking behaviours. In Ghana, about six people die daily from road traffic collisions. This study examines the relationship between risky behaviours and time to first motorbike collision in northern Ghana with the aim of informing policy and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Methods
We collected data from a representative sample of 818 respondents aged 18 years and older from three districts in the Upper West Region of Ghana. We fitted log-normal models to estimate time ratios and hazard graphs, which identified the most at risk group in timing to first collision.
Results
The results show that limited knowledge of speed limit (TR = 0.75, P < 0.001), ever had alcoholic beverage (TR = 0.62, P < 0.01), know someone died of collision (TR < 0.64, P < 0.05), and male (TR = 0.37, P < 0.001) were significant predictors of time to first motorbike collision. Those in the 25-30 age group (TR = 0.41, P < 0.001) were more at risk compared with those less than 20 years.
Conclusion
The implications of the study findings are that for Ghana to achieve target 3.6 of the SDGs, there is the need to intensify existing road safety campaigns on speed limits and alcohol abuse, while enforcing regulations against use of motorbike by unlicensed/under aged riders. It is also crucial to enforce helmet use, particularly among third party riders, who are often not the priority for road safety.
Language: en |