By Frank Kwame Abbor, GNA
Ho, Nov. 4, GNA – A total of 127 road traffic offenders have been issued electronic tickets in Ho since the introduction of the automated traffic enforcement system on November 1, with no complaints recorded so far.
Madam Joan Fafa Ayer, Volta Regional Director of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), told Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the system used cameras to detect traffic violations and issue tickets indicating the specific offence, date, time and location.
She said the electronic notices also provided instructions on how offenders could pay the fines or challenge the tickets if they believed they had been wrongly cited.
Madam Ayer said the initial phase focused on speeding offences, but footage captured during enforcement could also reveal other violations, including the use of mobile phones while driving and failure by drivers or passengers to wear seatbelts.
She explained that the cameras were deployed across the country, with some mounted at fixed locations and others operating on mobile platforms, making it difficult to identify their exact positions. She urged motorists to comply with traffic regulations rather than attempt to avoid detection.
Madam Ayer said speed enforcement was necessary because research indicated that about 62 per cent of road traffic crashes were speed-related, while more than 90 per cent of crashes involved human-related factors.
She reminded motorists that the maximum speed limit in built-up areas, including school zones, hospitals, churches, mosques and markets, was 30 kilometres per hour, while urban roads with less human activity allowed a maximum of 50 kilometres per hour.
The maximum speed limit on highways was 90 kilometres per hour, with 100 kilometres per hour permitted only on motorways.
She cautioned motorists to verify the sender of electronic traffic violation notices, saying legitimate messages should come from GPS-MTTD, representing the Ghana Police Service’s Motor Traffic and Transport Department.
She advised recipients of messages from other sources to verify them with the Police or the NRSA before acting.
Motorists using Android phones could follow the link provided to review video evidence, while those using other devices could seek assistance at the Police Headquarters.
Madam Ayer dismissed suggestions that the system was primarily intended to generate revenue, insisting that its main objective was to reduce crashes, promote compliance, and protect all road users.
She said the Authority would continue to monitor the implementation and encourage motorists to observe speed limits and other road safety regulations.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade