Road Safety Sensitisation Needs Enforcement to be Effective - ACP Obeng

The Director of Education, Research and Training at the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), ACP Alexander Kwaku Obeng, has emphasised that road safety education and public sensitisation alone cannot curb indiscipline on Ghana's roads without stringent enforcement. He was speaking on Newsfile over the weekend, where he defended the introduction of TraffiTech, a new automated traffic enforcement technology. According to ACP Obeng, Ghana's experience has shown that educating motorists about road safety without effective enforcement does little to change their behaviour.

ACP Obeng noted that Ghana has been working to address road indiscipline since 1952, when the Road Traffic Ordinance No. 55 was introduced. Successive legislative interventions have strengthened the country's road traffic framework, culminating in the latest amendments that provide for automated enforcement of traffic offences. The MTTD director cited the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683), its subsequent amendments, including Act 1153, and the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), as part of the legal framework underpinning the new enforcement approach.

Speeding is a major concern, with MTTD data suggesting that approximately 60 to 62 out of every 100 people killed or seriously injured in road crashes were victims of incidents involving excessive or inappropriate speeding. ACP Obeng disclosed that motorists continued to exceed prescribed speed limits even on newly constructed roads where speed limit signs had been clearly displayed. He cited instances on some roads where motorists were detected travelling at speeds of between 130 and 140 kilometres per hour in areas with a prescribed limit of 50 kilometres per hour.

To address the situation, ACP Obeng disclosed that the police had acquired and deployed smart cameras and other digital enforcement equipment in several parts of the country. The installations include cameras mounted on tripods, fixed camera systems, and devices embedded in unmarked police vehicles. He mentioned Sekondi-Takoradi, Kumasi, Sunyani, Tamale, Ho, Koforidua, and Tema among the locations where the equipment had been deployed.

The technology will enable the police to identify motorists who violate traffic regulations without necessarily stopping them at the roadside. ACP Obeng explained that motorists identified through the system would receive electronic notices of violation containing details of the vehicle, the alleged offence, the date, time, and location of the incident, as well as a reference number and a link for further information.

Motorists will have 14 days to pay the prescribed fine or challenge the notice if they disagree with the alleged violation. Those who wish to contest the notices can do so online or visit designated police offices. ACP Obeng identified the Accra Regional Traffic Technology Contest Office at Tudu as one of the facilities established to handle complaints. He disclosed that some of the complaints received so far relate to the misuse of trade licence plates, failure to transfer vehicle ownership, and discrepancies in vehicle data.

ACP Obeng maintained that the objective of TraffiTech is not to unfairly punish motorists but to improve compliance with road traffic regulations and protect lives. He said the police remain committed to using technology and stronger enforcement measures to address road indiscipline and reduce preventable deaths and injuries. The Inspector-General of Police has established a project management team involving relevant public institutions to oversee the implementation of TraffiTech.

Key points

• The Ghanaian police have introduced TraffiTech, an automated traffic enforcement technology, to curb road indiscipline and improve compliance with road traffic regulations.
• Speeding is a major concern, with 60-62% of road crash victims being killed or seriously injured due to excessive or inappropriate speeding.
• Motorists have 14 days to pay prescribed fines or challenge notices of violation received through the TraffiTech system.