The Ghana Police service is confident full roll out of the automated traffic management system named “traffictech-GH ” will significantly reduce high rate of road crashes in the country to meet the sustainable development goals.
According to WHO, the African region has 2 per cent of the world’s registered vehicles but a disproportionate 16 per cent of the world’s road traffic deaths.
Road traffic fatalities are estimated to be the fourth leading cause of death of persons aged 5 through 44 years on the content.
Target 3.6 of the sustainable development goals (SDG) enjoins countries to halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030.
Although there has been significant reduction of road crashes so far this year in Ghana, about 1,200 Ghanaians have been killed in about 8000 crashes since January to July with over 9000 injured.
The Ghana Police Service believe, introduction of automated traffic management system known as Traffictech-GH ,will be a game changer in road traffic regulations enforcement to significantly reduce crashes.
The system, uses cameras and sensors to capture images and videos of vehicles that would disregard road traffic laws such as jumping of traffic, speeding, wrong overtaking, overloading among others.
The system taps into database of Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and Ghana Insurance Commission to determine vehicles with expired insurance,roadworthy, expired driver’s license and those without driver’s license.
The sanction component of the technology generates instant fines through text ranging between Ghc120 to Ghc240 to offenders per traffic offense to pay immediately via electronic payment platforms.
Speaking to the media at a stakeholders engagement in Koforidua, Eastern region, Chief Superintendent Obeng said traffictech-GH automated traffic regulation enforcement system will stop impunity on the road among all class of people without favor, avoid human interference and perceived corruption on the road.
“There seems to be significant reduction when it comes to road crashes associated deaths ,injuries and damage to properties. However, between January and July this year , though there has been significant reduction, about 1,200 Ghanaians have been killed .Over 9,000 injured ,and over over 8000 incidents of preventable crashes involving over 13,000 vehicles these are one too many and therefore it is the reason why police is not resting in its ores coming up with this intervention.”
He stated that, the traffictech-Gh also known as Police invisible eyes are watching (PIEAW) has certain benefits. It will minimize interference because if in real time you can gather evidence and post real time offences notices it is clear it will reduce interference , eliminate incidence of perceived corruption among law enforcement officers. It will hasten processes of investigation and evidence gathering abd it will also inured to the
Acting Executive Director of National Road Safety Authority ING. David Obeng Adonteng lauded IGP and the Police service for the introduction of the traffic management technology to enhance safety on Ghanaian roads.
He said road safety is critical to economic growth,poverty reduction and security of the country.
However some drivers in Koforidua expressed mixed feelings about the technology .
Whereas some lauded the technology,others want the police to hasten slowly introducing such systems into the country whose environment is different from the western country.
The traffictech-Gh technology is expected to be fully rolled out by the end of 2023.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/kojo Ansah
