Road safety sensitisation without enforcement is empty talk -ACP Obeng
The Director of Education, Research and Training at the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), ACP Alexander Kwaku Obeng, has defended the introduction of TraffiTech, insisting that road safety education and public sensitisation alone cannot curb indiscipline on Ghana’s roads without stringent enforcement. He said the deployment of automated traffic enforcement technology was necessary to…
ACP Alexander Kwaku Obeng, Director of Education, Research and Training at the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), has emphasized that road safety education and public awareness alone are insufficient to curb reckless behavior on Ghana's roads without robust enforcement measures. In an interview with Newsfile, Obeng argued that merely informing motorists about traffic rules without imposing strict penalties would yield limited results.
He stressed that the introduction of TraffiTech, an automated traffic enforcement system, marked a significant step in Ghana's ongoing efforts to regulate road usage and safeguard lives and property. TraffiTech builds upon a series of legislative milestones, including the Road Traffic Ordinance No. 55 (1952), subsequent amendments (Act 683, Act 1153, and the Road Traffic Regulations 2026), which collectively form the legal foundation for this new enforcement approach.
Speeding is identified as a critical issue, with MTTD data indicating that 60-62 out of every 100 fatalities in road crashes result from excessive or improper speeding. Despite clear signage, Obeng highlighted instances where motorists exceeded speed limits by as much as 90 km/h on roads where the limit is 50 km/h. To combat this, Obeng announced the deployment of smart cameras and other advanced enforcement technologies across various regions, including Sekondi-Takoradi, Kumasi, Sunyani, Tamale, Ho, Koforidua, and Tema.
These systems, verified by government and equipped with trained police personnel, can automatically identify and fine violators without requiring roadside stops. Motorists will receive electronic notices of violation, allowing a 14-day window for payment or contestation via online platforms or designated police offices. ACP Obeng emphasized that the aim of TraffiTech is not punitive but to enhance compliance with traffic regulations and mitigate preventable deaths and injuries.
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