The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has issued a comprehensive new law, the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1153), implementing crucial changes to vehicle maintenance and safety protocols across Ghana. This law mandates the auctioning of abandoned vehicles under a new system designed to ensure immediate removal from roadways following accidents or breakdown, effectively curtailing hazardous conditions and reducing potential risks to motorists and pedestrians. The law, effective immediately, places a significant responsibility on vehicle owners to either secure comprehensive insurance coverage or subscribe to a towing service, creating a robust system for vehicle retrieval and accountability.
Under the new regulations, vehicle owners are obligated to either purchase a towing service contract or a specific insurance policy that incorporates towing coverage. This represents a fundamental shift from the previous grace period system, which offered a limited timeframe for vehicle breakdown resolution. The Director of Registration, Inspection and Compliance, Kwame Koduah Attuahene, emphasized this new approach as a critical step towards a safer transportation environment. Mr. Attuahene stated, ‘The law now requires immediate action; once a vehicle breaks down, you must have it towed immediately. Previously, there was a 30-minute or one-hour grace period, but the law now mandates that as soon as a breakdown occurs, your vehicle must be towed.’
The NRSA has implemented a stringent seven-day notice period before the commencement of vehicle auctions, a crucial element in minimizing potential disruptions and ensuring a swift process for vehicle recovery. Failure to comply with this seven-day notice will result in further consequences, potentially leading to a judicial auction and confiscation of the vehicles by the state. The law also includes a mandatory triangular warning beacon placement by vehicle owners and notification of service providers when a vehicle breaks down or crashes, a proactive measure intended to alert other motorists to potential hazards.
This legislative change is a direct response to escalating road traffic incidents and a growing concern regarding disabled and crashed vehicles posing a significant danger to the road network. The Transport Minister, in a recent statement, highlighted the importance of proactively managing vehicle situations. The current daily toll of approximately 8 deaths due to road crashes in Ghana constitutes a substantial burden on the nation’s healthcare system. The implementation of this new law is a vital step in aligning with the core principle of compliance and minimizing risks to public safety.
The law has prompted a substantial exodus of vehicle owners from category C and D schools across the country. The heads of scout groups have reported significant student drop-offs, with many students being displaced, and several students facing potential risks of death. The situation has also impacted the Kumasi Resolution Centre, where two individuals are feared dead as a trailer collided with vehicles at Krofrom. This incident underscores the urgency of this regulatory shift.
The NRSA is employing a multi-faceted approach to manage this transition. Vehicles will be towed to designated storage facilities, and the state will confiscate the vehicles if they fail to comply with the seven-day notice period. The system intends to prevent disabled and damaged vehicles from contributing to additional hazards on the roads, thereby bolstering road safety for all road users. The NRSA is actively working to ensure compliance and manage the transition, emphasizing the obligation to either secure insurance or a towing contract.
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Source: Adom Online
