The Ghana Police Service's Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) has outlined key provisions of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), set to be fully enforced from October 1, 2026, through its TRAFFITECH-GH programme. The regulations cover tyre safety, windscreen tint, parking, roadside vehicle repairs, seat belts, vehicle registration, and reflective markings. Motorists found in breach will receive electronic notices via SMS.
According to the MTTD Director of Education, Research and Training, ACP Alexander Kwaku Obeng, Regulation 87 requires vehicles to have safe tyres not more than six years old from their date of manufacture. The manufacturing date is indicated on the tyre sidewall in a four-digit code. ACP Obeng advised motorists to check tyre manufacturing dates before purchasing and cautioned against buying old stock.
The regulations also specify that tyres imported into Ghana must have a temperature rating of either A or B, while tyres with a C rating are not permitted. ACP Obeng warned that worn-out tyres increase the risk of punctures and hydroplaning on wet roads. He explained that vehicle windows must allow at least 70 per cent of light through, enabling a person 60 metres away to see into the vehicle.
Regulation 92 prohibits tinting on a vehicle's front windscreen, with exemptions for security and emergency service providers. Vehicle owners are responsible for ensuring seats are equipped with seat belts and that drivers ensure passengers below 18 years use them. Vehicles must be properly registered and regularly serviced, with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) responsible for periodic roadworthiness certification.
The regulations also prohibit parking wholly or partially on road verges, shoulders, and footways, and do not permit roadside vehicle repairs. Enforcement teams will collaborate with assemblies to address these practices, including towing vehicles where necessary. Motorists are warned against blocking property entrances and exits, a serious offence.
Vehicles must have standard reflective stickers, with white reflectors at the front and red ones at the rear. Commercial motorcycles will require training for operators aged 21 and above, a new commercial motorcycle licence, and dedicated number plates. The police acknowledge concerns about road infrastructure, including malfunctioning traffic lights and potholes.
ACP Obeng emphasized that effective traffic management requires cooperation between the police, assemblies, and other authorities. He supported calls for prompt repair of faulty traffic lights, noting that functioning traffic infrastructure is crucial for road safety and effective enforcement. The police will use digital sensors to collect evidence against motorists who park on road verges.
Key points
- The Ghana Police Service will begin full enforcement of new road regulations from October 1, 2026.
- The regulations cover various aspects, including tyre safety, windscreen tint, and parking rules.
- Motorists found in breach of the regulations will receive electronic notices via SMS.
