TraffiTech fines: Drivers who obey speed limits have nothing to fear from – President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has urged motorists to observe speed limits to avoid fines under the newly introduced TraffiTech-GH traffic enforcement system, saying drivers who follow the rules have nothing to fear from the technology.

President Mahama made the comment on the sidelines of a breakfast meeting for Commonwealth Heads of Government, convened by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey at Jumby Bay Island in Antigua and Barbuda, during an exclusive interview with the Founder and Team Lead of The1957News, Bernard Kwesi Odompleh (Nene).

The president said the camera-based system is necessary to help curb speeding and reduce road crashes. He pointed to the 50km/h speed limit in built-up areas, saying motorists should observe it regardless of how good the road is.

“If it is too expensive, then do not speed, and so there is a solution to that. The maximum speed in town is 50km/h. However good the road is, you do the 50km/h. If you do that, you are fine, and you will not have to pay anything,” he said.

The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service began rolling out TraffiTech-GH on November 1. The system uses cameras to detect traffic offences, with speeding as its initial focus.

Some motorists have criticised the rollout, arguing that the government should first address poor road conditions and infrastructure gaps, including faulty traffic lights, inadequate road markings and missing speed-limit signs. Some driver unions have also threatened industrial action over the system.

President Mahama maintained that road conditions should not prevent authorities from enforcing speed limits. He cited the use of speed cameras in countries such as the United Kingdom, despite roads there not being perfect.