The Cameras Are Clicking On Unmarked Tar

As the sun sets on the Accra-Kumasi and Accra-Aflao highways, a new reality emerges for drivers. Unmarked solar-powered radar cameras, designed to capture violators' mobile money transactions, loom above the road, ready to pounce. Advocates argue that this automated traffic enforcement system promises objectivity, eliminating the inconsistencies of human judgment. However, critics contend that the absence of physical road signs and markings undermines the system's fairness.

On the night of November 1st, the Drive Ghana highway enforcement system officially went live. Within hours, a heated online debate erupted as citizens debated the implications of this development. Some claimed that, in the absence of visible speed limits, drivers should simply rely on cues such as nearby pedestrians or digital navigation tools like Waze.

However, this perspective has been criticized as a display of middle-class privilege, as it overlooks the challenges faced by vulnerable road users like trotro drivers, commercial motorists, and pedestrians.

The debate highlights a deeper institutional divide within Ghana's road safety framework. While advocates argue that automated enforcement is necessary due to the lack of physical road markings, critics point out that the system ignores the fundamental importance of clear signage and markings. The Ghana Highway Authority and Urban Roads are responsible for these elements, while the Police's Mobile Traffic Detection Unit (MTTD) enforces the regulations.

This division creates a system where revenue generation takes precedence over public safety, and the government's neglect of physical infrastructure exacerbates the problem.

To truly address the issue of road safety, the government must prioritize investment in physical infrastructure, including clear signage, markings, and maintenance. Only by addressing the root causes of accidents and enforcing laws in a fair and consistent manner can Ghana hope to create safer roads for all its citizens.