Drivers, passengers and pedestrians in Koforidua have welcomed the planned rollout of the TRAFFICTECH-GH automated traffic enforcement system, with many expecting the technology to encourage greater compliance with road safety regulations.
The programme, being implemented by the Ghana Police Service through the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2026.
It will deploy cameras and Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices to detect and document traffic offences, including speeding and failure to obey traffic lights.
Taxi driver Emmanuel Owusu told the Ghana News Agency that the introduction of automated enforcement could make motorists more cautious on the roads.
He said the system could help address dangerous driving practices such as excessive speeding and inappropriate overtaking, which contribute to road crashes.
Motor rider Kwabena Asante, however, stressed the importance of maintaining the equipment and ensuring that the technology accurately captures violations.
He said properly functioning cameras would be necessary to prevent motorists from being wrongly identified for offences they did not commit.
Under the system, footage of suspected violations will first be reviewed by the authorities before an official notice is issued.
Vehicle owners found liable will receive electronic notifications of traffic violations through text messages and will be required to pay applicable fines electronically via the Ghana.gov platform within 14 days.
The registered owner of a vehicle will be responsible for the fine, even where another person was driving when the offence occurred.
Vehicle owners and drivers who dispute a violation will also have the opportunity to challenge the notice online within 14 days.
Vehicle owner Comfort Owusu said the system could provide an additional layer of accountability, particularly for owners who entrust their vehicles to commercial or private drivers.
She said stronger enforcement could encourage drivers to comply with traffic regulations and transport passengers more safely.
For pedestrians, the expected benefits extend beyond traffic-light enforcement.
Rebecca Agyeiwaa said the programme could help discourage motorists and motorcyclists from occupying pedestrian walkways, allowing pedestrians to move with fewer obstructions.
A student, Vincent Duodu, also said automated enforcement could make roads safer for schoolchildren, particularly during busy periods when students cross roads before and after school.
He expressed hope that the system would encourage motorists to observe traffic lights and zebra crossings more carefully.
The planned rollout comes as authorities seek to use technology to strengthen traffic enforcement and improve compliance with road safety regulations.
