By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The legality of the TraffiTech-GH automated traffic enforcement system has come under scrutiny on Current Agenda, ‘Your Voice, Your Power’, with a private legal practitioner questioning its legal basis and the Ghana Police Service highlighting the importance of existing laws in traffic enforcement.
Director of Education, Research and Training at the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), ACP Alexander Kwaku Obeng, said overspeeding remained a major contributor to road traffic deaths in Ghana.
He disclosed that about 62 out of every 100 road traffic deaths were linked to overspeeding, highlighting the need for effective measures to address the problem.
ACP Obeng explained that the Police could not undertake traffic enforcement without the backing of existing road traffic laws and regulations.
“When it comes to enforcement, Police will not come into the space if there is no existing road traffic act and regulation,” he stated.
However, private legal practitioner Albert Gyamfi questioned the legal basis of the TraffiTech-GH initiative, arguing that its implementation was not supported by law.
“TraffiTech, although good, is currently illegal because it is not backed by law,” he said.
His comments raise questions about the legal authority to detect traffic violations, issue electronic notices and impose penalties on motorists through the automated system.
TraffiTech-GH is a technology-driven traffic monitoring and enforcement initiative designed to identify road traffic violations, including speeding and running red lights, through automated cameras and other surveillance equipment.
The initiative is intended to complement conventional police enforcement, improve compliance with traffic regulations and reduce road crashes.
The discussion on *Current Agenda* highlights the importance of ensuring that the deployment of traffic enforcement technology is supported by a clear legal framework, while addressing the road safety concerns that have made stricter enforcement necessary.
