Draft:Jaywalking In Ghana

Jaywalking refers to the illegal or reckless crossing of street at where its not allowed. In Ghana, Jaywalking is illegal and punishable by the law.

In 2018, The board Chairman of the National Road Safety Commission revealed that the Commission with support from the Ministry of Road and Highways and the Ghana Police Service to jail jaywalking pedestrians.

Is Jaywalking Illegal?
Yes, Jaywalking is illegal, it's one of those activities that everyone knows it's wrong but would still do. Although it can save you some minutes, it’s also against the law in most countries. Jaywalking is one cause of accidents, not only for the person crossing the street but for drivers and other pedestrians using the crosswalk.

Why Is Jaywalking A Crime?
Jaywalking is a crime in some parts of the world but not considered as a serious or severe crime. Drivers do not see people crossing the street outside of a crosswalk when there is heavy pedestrian traffic. Police officers gives out tickets to people who are caught jaywalking.

Causes Of Jaywalking
People jaywalk for a variety of reasons, including convenience, the expectation that individuals have the right to freedom of movement, and sometimes even personal safety, often to cross the street. Access to a zebra crossing may require a long detour.

Statistics has shown that About 68% of road traffic deaths in Ghana involve pedestrians due to inadequate crossing facilities and unsafe behaviours.

Measures
The parliament approved a €28.5 million contract agreement between the government and Jason Bridging International BV of the Netherlands for the construction of 14 pedestrian bridges across three regions in Ghana. The sector ministry identified several crossing points within the cities and needed pedestrian facilities to ensure safety.

Some countries have followed the USA and imposed anti-jaywalking measures in their country. Police in China started a fresh push to stop jaywalking last year, fining offenders in Shanghai.