The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service in the Bono Region has begun rolling out Traffictech-GH devices on selected roads. According to Regional Commander of the MTTD, DSP Robert Anabiik Anmian, the region lacks sufficient cameras, prompting the deployment of devices only on accident-prone roads. This move aims to enhance road safety and reduce accidents in the region. The devices will help monitor speeding and enforce traffic regulations.
The MTTD has carried out sensitization exercises, which are still ongoing, to educate the public about the new technology. The unit has visited transport organizations, including GPRTU, VIP, and PROTOA, as well as churches, mosques, lorry stations, radio stations, Pragyia associations, and university campuses. This outreach effort seeks to inform drivers and the general public about the operation of Traffictech-GH devices and the importance of adhering to traffic regulations.
The Traffictech-GH system will not function automatically under faulty traffic lights in the Sunyani Municipality. DSP Anmian explained that the system requires functional traffic lights to operate effectively. In cases of faulty traffic lights, alternative measures will be put in place to ensure road safety. The Ghana Police Service is deploying three types of cameras to check speeding, including fixed cameras, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and mobile vans fitted with cameras.
The deployed cameras include fixed cameras mounted at strategic locations to read oncoming vehicles, PDAs used by police personnel to capture pictures and short videos of offending vehicles, and mobile vans dispatched from Accra to major roads. These vans are equipped with cameras and can be deployed on any road in the districts or regions without the knowledge of local commanders. The vans do not bear Police Service inscriptions, and the personnel operating them are not in uniform.
Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, the Bono Regional Police Public Relations Officer, cautioned motorists to maintain sanity on the roads. He stated that the vans will be moving from Accra to any part of the region to monitor speeding. When pictures and short videos are taken and sent to the back office, they are reviewed to determine culpability. If found liable, the offender receives a fine via SMS or WhatsApp.
Offenders have 14 days to pay or challenge the offence. After 14 days, they cannot challenge the fine. The fine is paid through *7100#, and the payment process is facilitated through http://www.gh.gov.gh. Chief Inspector Akeelah urged drivers to observe speed limits: 30km/h in towns, 50km/h in urban areas, 90km/h and 100km/h on highways. He emphasized that the cameras only capture motorists who exceed the limits.
Categories of emergency workers, such as the police, fire service, ambulance service, and the presidency, are exempted from speeding offences. However, any emergency worker using a vehicle registered in their personal name at the time of capture will be held liable if found guilty. The MTTD aims to reduce accidents and promote road safety through the effective use of Traffictech-GH devices.
Key points
- The MTTD has deployed Traffictech-GH devices on selected accident-prone roads in the Bono Region to monitor speeding.
- The devices will not function automatically under faulty traffic lights in the Sunyani Municipality.
- Emergency workers are exempted from speeding offences, but those using personal vehicles may be held liable.
