The Director of Education, Research, and Training at the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Alex Kwaku Obeng, has advised drivers to exercise caution and avoid speeding.
He warned that with the implementation of the TraffiTech GH system, drivers who breach the law will have no choice but to pay the fines.
He expressed deep concern over the alarming rate at which motorists continue to flout speed regulations, despite the operationalisation of the automated system.
Speaking on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s flagship news programme, Nyankonton Mu Nsem, ACP Obeng stated that drivers captured violating regulations would have their details recorded, after which a notification would be dispatched to vehicle owners to settle the penalties within a 14-day window.
He revealed that footage captured by the newly installed cameras across various regions, particularly in East Legon, highlights reckless driving habits, with several individuals far exceeding designated safety limits.
“The recordings have exposed severe indiscipline on our roads. We have observed instances where drivers travel at speeds above 150 km/h in zones restricted to 50 km/h or 60 km/h,” he said.
ACP Obeng stressed that defaulting vehicle owners would face escalating sanctions, noting that if the 14-day period expires without payment, an additional one per cent of the original fine will accrue daily until the balance is settled.
He noted that automated notifications detailing offences alongside the reminder “speed kills, reduce it now” are sent directly to vehicle owners, accompanied by applicable penalty units and vehicle data.
Affected owners can inspect visual proof by logging onto www.ghana.gov.gh, entering their ticket number, and selecting the option to view photo and video evidence.
He further informed the news team that several vehicle owners have already received notifications exposing how recklessly their drivers were operating on the roads.
Under the Road Traffic Regulations, speed thresholds are fixed at 30 km/h within school, health, and commercial zones; 50 km/h in built-up urban areas; 90 km/h on highways; and 100 km/h along motorways. Licensed drivers are legally required to know and observe these limits regardless of posted signs.
“Some drivers are reckless on the roads, and we have gathered enough evidence and sent notifications to the car owners, exposing how reckless their drivers were on the roads. Speed kills, and the new system is aim-focused at addressing reckless driving. We therefore admonish car owners to ask their drivers to remain disciplined on our roads. Through this system and the campaign we have run, road crashes and pedestrian knockdowns have all reduced. As car owners, if you have received the notifications, do the needful and pay them. Our objective is to help save human lives and make our streets safe,” he stated.
“As we approach Christmas, we call on drivers to remain disciplined. When you examine the data, speeding accounts for approximately 60 per cent to 62 per cent of all serious injuries and fatalities from road crashes in Ghana. That is why we encourage drivers to do what is needful to avoid road crashes,” he added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana