The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) is pushing for the regulation of daily sales targets imposed on commercial drivers by vehicle owners, warning that excessive financial demands could be contributing to speeding, fatigue and reckless driving on Ghana’s roads. Corrections Policy
The proposal was announced by NRSA Director-General Abraham Amaliba during engagements with commercial drivers and transport union leaders in Accra as the Authority steps up road safety education ahead of the Christmas and New Year travel period.
Mr Amaliba said some commercial drivers are placed under significant pressure to meet daily financial targets set by vehicle owners, forcing them to make multiple trips within limited periods. He argued that the financial arrangement between vehicle owners and drivers deserves greater attention as part of efforts to reduce preventable road crashes.
He compared the proposed regulation of daily targets to the role played by Rent Control in regulating rents, suggesting that there should be a mechanism to prevent vehicle owners from setting demands that are unrealistic or potentially dangerous for drivers.
According to Mr Amaliba, some owners set targets at levels that leave drivers desperate to complete several rounds before the end of the day. Such pressure, he said, can encourage drivers to spend longer hours behind the wheel and may increase the temptation to speed or take unnecessary risks.
The NRSA’s position introduces an important dimension to Ghana’s road safety debate because discussions about commercial vehicle crashes have traditionally focused on factors such as speeding, drink-driving, vehicle defects, driver fatigue and disregard for traffic regulations.
The Authority’s argument is that road safety cannot be addressed solely by telling drivers to obey the rules if the economic conditions under which they operate create incentives to take risks.
Mr Amaliba, however, cautioned commercial drivers not to treat pressure from vehicle owners as an excuse for dangerous driving. He stressed that meeting a financial target should never take priority over protecting human life. Editorial Standards
The proposal comes at a time when road safety remains a major concern in Ghana. Data cited by the NRSA show that 1,009 people were killed in 4,899 road crashes between January and April 2026, representing a 2.5 per cent increase in recorded crashes compared with the same period in 2025.
The figures have strengthened calls for greater accountability among drivers, vehicle owners and transport operators.
The NRSA has urged transport unions to take a more active role in supervising drivers and carrying out pre-departure checks.
The Authority has also emphasised that drivers must resist pressure from passengers or vehicle owners to engage in unsafe practices. Its broader road safety campaign includes public education, stronger enforcement and the use of technology to improve compliance.
The issue of daily sales targets is particularly relevant to commercial transport because many drivers operate vehicles they do not own. Under such arrangements, a driver may be required to generate a fixed amount of money for the owner before keeping the remaining income.
While such arrangements can provide vehicle owners with predictable daily returns and allow drivers to earn a living, excessive targets could create economic incentives that conflict with road safety.
The NRSA has not yet outlined the specific mechanism through which daily targets would be regulated.
Questions remain over how a reasonable target would be calculated, which institution would enforce the rules and how differences in routes, passenger volumes, fuel prices, vehicle types and operating costs would be considered.
Any future regulatory framework would therefore need to involve meaningful consultation with vehicle owners, commercial drivers, transport unions and other stakeholders.
Such consultation could help establish realistic standards that protect drivers from unreasonable financial pressure without undermining the ability of vehicle owners to recover operating and maintenance costs. Editorial Ethics & Independence
The proposal also highlights the importance of addressing driver welfare as part of road safety policy. Commercial drivers work in an environment where long hours, traffic congestion, passenger demands and financial pressures can combine to affect concentration and decision-making.
The NRSA has previously advised drivers to avoid fatigue and take adequate rest, particularly during long journeys. Its road safety guidance also warns against speeding and driving while impaired.
Ghana’s new road traffic regulatory framework has also introduced stronger requirements for commercial and public transport operations, including speed limits, rest intervals for long-distance drivers and improved vehicle inspection standards. Newscard
The proposed regulation of daily sales targets could therefore complement existing measures if it is developed and implemented effectively.
For now, the NRSA’s position signals a broader approach to road safety one that considers not only driver behaviour but also the economic pressures surrounding commercial transport.
As the festive season approaches and passenger traffic is expected to increase, the Authority is urging drivers, vehicle owners and transport unions to prioritise safety over financial returns.
The central message from the NRSA is clear, no daily sales target should be high enough to push a driver into behaviour that puts passengers, other road users or the driver’s own life at risk.
If the proposal eventually leads to a workable regulatory framework, it could add another layer of protection for commercial drivers and passengers while encouraging a more accountable and safety-conscious transport industry in Ghana.