By Eric Appah Marfo, GNA
Accra, Nov. 6, GNA – The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has observed improved motorists’ behaviour following the introduction of Ghana’s automated traffic enforcement system, TRAFFITECH-GH, attributing the change to increased awareness of the consequences of traffic violations.
Mr Henry Asomani, Deputy Director of Planning and Programmes at the NRSA and its focal person for TRAFFITECH-GH, said motorists were becoming more cautious because they knew traffic violations could be detected and attract penalties.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Friday, he said although the system had been operational only since November 1, the Authority’s initial assessment suggested that it was already influencing driving behaviour.
“We have seen a change in a lot of the driving populace. Where now when you are on the roads, people are not speeding as they used to because of the fear of being issued a notice,” he said.
Mr Asomani said the initiative had received considerable public acceptance, although some motorists continued to raise concerns about inadequate road infrastructure.
He said the Authority was engaging relevant road agencies to ensure that appropriate road signs were provided to help motorists identify applicable speed limits and other traffic requirements.
He explained that TRAFFITECH-GH was designed to strengthen one of the four pillars of road safety management—enforcement—alongside engineering, emergency response and education.
Its introduction, he said, did not mean the other interventions were being neglected, adding that the Authority would continue public education and engage road agencies on infrastructure improvements.
Mr Asomani observed that years of road safety education had not produced the desired behavioural changes, partly because motorists often disregarded regulations when they believed they would not face consequences.
“Education without enforcement is entertainment,” he said, arguing that automated enforcement would make motorists more conscious of their responsibility to obey traffic regulations.
He said the Authority had educated the public on TRAFFITECH-GH ahead of its implementation, including issuing caution notices to motorists, but public attention had increased following the introduction of financial penalties.
Mr Asomani also acknowledged concerns raised by transport unions about traders occupying designated bus stops and pedestrian walkways, describing their complaints as legitimate.
He said the occupation of such spaces affected commercial drivers’ ability to pick up and drop off passengers at designated locations.
He welcomed government assurances to address the situation, particularly following a recent notice by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly directing traders occupying unauthorised spaces to vacate within 48 hours.
On concerns that TRAFFITECH-GH was intended to generate revenue for the government, he said its primary objective was to reduce fatal road crashes and save lives.
“We don’t expect to get a lot of money from this because we expect people to comply,” he said, explaining that the penalties were intended to deter traffic violations rather than serve as a revenue-generation measure.
He said the Authority expected road crash figures to decline during the Christmas festivities and into 2027, partly due to the behavioural changes associated with the system.
Mr Asomani disclosed that the NRSA had observed a downward trend in its data since the introduction of caution notices in September.
He urged motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic regulations and consider the safety of other road users, particularly during the festive season when traffic volumes were expected to increase.
“We don’t want your money. We want to save your life. We want you to change your attitude,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Audrey Dekalu
Reporter: Eric Appah Marfo
Email: [email protected]