President John Dramani Mahama has urged motorists unhappy with the fines under the newly introduced TraffiTech-GH traffic enforcement system to comply with speed limits instead of complaining about the cost of penalties.
He said drivers who obey traffic regulations had nothing to fear, stressing that avoiding speeding was the simplest way to escape sanctions under the automated enforcement system.
“If it [fines] is too expensive, then don’t overspend; that’s all, there is a solution to it,” the President said.
Mr Mahama made the remarks in an interview with 1957 News on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at Jumby Bay Island in Antigua and Barbuda, where he addressed the rollout of the technology and concerns raised by motorists.
His comments come amid growing public debate over the fines imposed under TraffiTech-GH, with some drivers questioning whether the penalties are reasonable, particularly in view of the poor condition of some roads across the country.
The President defended the introduction of the system, arguing that enforcing speed limits was essential to curbing reckless driving and reducing road accidents.
He also dismissed calls for the government to improve road infrastructure before deploying the technology, maintaining that road maintenance and traffic law enforcement could be pursued simultaneously.
According to him, poor road conditions should not be used as an excuse for motorists to disregard speed limits.
Citing the United Kingdom as an example, Mr Mahama said speed cameras were used there despite imperfections in its road network.
“My understanding is that Traffitech has begun with overspeeding; they have not yet added the other components of jumping red light, parking wrongly,” he said.
“And so I hear they [the public] say we should fix the roads before we introduce Traffitech. I mean, it doesn’t happen like that. The roads are not perfect in the UK, and yet they have speed cameras,” he added.
However, the President has asked the police and other agencies overseeing the system to ensure that clear warning signs are installed ahead of locations where speed cameras operate.
He said motorists should be adequately informed when approaching monitored sections of the road, describing transparency as necessary for the effective introduction of the technology.
“All I will urge is that the police and those implementing Traffitech should put signs showing where the cameras are, because that is one of the things you need to do if you are introducing this kind of innovation,” he said.
“You need to put signposts, warning motorists, that there is a speed camera ahead. I think that transparency is important,” he added.
The directive is intended to ensure that drivers are aware of camera locations and are not caught unawares by the automated monitoring system.
Mr Mahama further stressed the importance of speed enforcement, highlighting the risks speeding vehicles pose to pedestrians, particularly children returning from school.
He said several children were knocked down by vehicles each year, with some losing their lives and others sustaining injuries that left them permanently disabled.
“If you look at the number of children knocked down every year in Ghana when they are coming from school, you will understand why it is important for us to check over speeding. Children coming from school are knocked down and killed or permanently injured, and so it is important for us to check speeding,” he said.
TraffiTech-GH is currently focused on detecting speeding, although other violations, including running red lights and illegal parking, are expected to be incorporated into the system.
The initiative forms part of efforts to improve compliance with road traffic regulations through automated monitoring and enforcement.
While acknowledging the need for motorists to be clearly notified about camera locations, President Mahama maintained that observing speed limits remains the most effective way for drivers to avoid penalties.
