The Ghana Police Service has unequivocally established that excessive speeding is a significant contributor to approximately 60% of preventable road fatalities across the nation. This alarming statistic, revealed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Alexander Kwaku Obeng, Director of Education, Research and Training at the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), underscores the critical need for intensified enforcement efforts to safeguard lives on the roads.
Speaking in an interview on the planned deployment of the TrafficTech system on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Wednesday, August 26, ACP Obeng emphasized the importance of technology in combating reckless driving. He explained that the system, incorporating cameras and other advanced devices, will enable police to proactively detect and document traffic violations, specifically targeting speeding behaviors.
Specifically, ACP Obeng highlighted several dangerous practices currently under scrutiny. Drivers exceeding 50 kilometers per hour in school zones and densely populated areas are being targeted, as are those exceeding 100 kilometers per hour on motorways. He further cited motorists driving above 50 kilometers per hour in school zones and densely populated areas, as well as those exceeding 100 kilometers per hour on motorways, as particularly dangerous practices the system would focus on.
According to ACP Obeng, the required hardware and software have been procured and are currently undergoing rigorous testing. A dedicated back-office system has also been developed to support enforcement operations. The Ministry of Transport, with significant support from agencies within the road safety management sub-sector, is expected to complete the necessary certification process.
He stated that the Regulation 242 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2519), which provides for automated road traffic offenses and fines, serves as the foundational legal basis for this initiative. The police are also developing a mobile application that will empower officers to gather evidence of traffic violations using handheld devices and smartphones. This digital enforcement approach aims to reduce the practice of stopping suspected offenders and taking them to police stations, as evidence captured by these devices can be leveraged to pursue the vehicle owners or drivers involved.
The deployment of the TrafficTech system represents a significant step towards improving road safety in Ghana. It’s expected to drastically reduce the frequency of traffic stops, allowing police to focus on more serious offenses and ultimately saving lives.
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Source: MyJoyOnline
