Accra, Sept. 29, GNA – CUTS International Accra has called on the Government to delay full enforcement of TRAFFITECH-GH, scheduled for October 1, until faulty traffic lights and road markings at enforcement locations are repaired.
The research and public policy think tank said automated traffic enforcement could improve compliance with road traffic regulations and contribute to reducing crashes but stressed that enforcement must be based on clear and visible road infrastructure.
CUTS International made the call in a statement issued in Accra.
“Government should hold drivers to the law. Government must also make the law clear and visible on the road,” CUTS said.
The statement said some traffic lights across Accra were obscured by overgrown vegetation, while others were damaged, displaced or out of service.
In some cases, the statement said, only one of two signal heads at a junction was functioning, while faded lane markings and stop lines further created uncertainty for motorists.
CUTS said the condition of the road infrastructure posed risks to motorists and pedestrians, irrespective of the deployment of cameras.
It expressed particular concern about traffic lights on the Nsawam-Accra Road, shortly before the Apenkwa-Achimota overhead bridge, and at the Police Training Academy junction in Tesano.
According to the statement, the traffic lights at the two locations had reportedly shifted out of clear view for approaching motorists, although the TRAFFITECH-GH cameras appeared to be correctly positioned.
“The authorities should inspect both sites from each approaching lane,” CUTS said, warning that a camera could capture a vehicle crossing on red even when the driver could not clearly see the traffic signal.
“A camera’s clear view of a vehicle does not mean the driver has a clear view of the relevant signal or sign,” it said.
CUTS urged the Ghana Police Service and the Department of Urban Roads to inspect every proposed enforcement location from the position of drivers before automated fines were activated.
The inspection, it said, should cover every affected lane and assess visibility during the day, at night and in rainy conditions.
Authorities should also document the condition of traffic signals, road signs, lane markings and stop lines before enforcement commenced at each location.
Additionally, the statement called for displaced traffic lights to be realigned, failed signal heads restored, overgrown vegetation trimmed and essential road markings repainted.
CUTS said automated fines for a particular offence should only begin after the road features necessary for motorists to comply with the relevant rule were functional and clearly visible.
On speeding enforcement, CUTS referred to Regulations 211, 212 and 213(3) of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), which set general speed limits according to road type and location, provide additional limits for particular classes of vehicles and provide for speed cameras and safety signage.
It said the regulations did not eliminate the need for authorities to clearly indicate the applicable speed limit at locations where cameras were deployed.
“A driver unfamiliar with an area might not know where a built-up area begins or where a lower limit applies near a school, market or other place with heavy pedestrian activity,” the statement said.
CUTS therefore urged the authorities to install clear speed-limit signs before every TRAFFITECH-GH speed camera and at points where the applicable limit changes.
Additionally, it said motorists should be given adequate and visible warning before an automated enforcement system issued penalties for speeding.
CUTS maintained that the objective of TRAFFITECH-GH should be to promote safer roads and compliance, rather than penalise motorists because of defective or poorly visible road infrastructure.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Benjamin Adamafio Commey
Email: [email protected]