While some operators welcomed the initiative, saying it would promote discipline on the roads and reduce opportunities for corruption, others expressed concerns about the reliability of the technology and the possibility of system failures affecting motorists.

The Ghana Police Service, through the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), announced that Traffitech-Gh would use cameras and Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices to detect traffic offences and support the enforcement of road traffic regulations.

Under the system, detected offences would be reviewed and Electronic Notices of Violation (ENV) issued to vehicle owners or drivers through SMS, indicating the offence committed and the prescribed fine.

Some transport operators in Sogakope described the initiative as a timely intervention that could help address persistent indiscipline among drivers, including reckless driving, illegal parking and other breaches of traffic regulations.

They said the automated system could also minimise direct encounters between motorists and Police officers during enforcement, thereby reducing opportunities for bribery and other forms of corruption.

One of the operators, Mr Dugah Maxwell, said the introduction of technology into traffic enforcement would make the process more transparent because motorists would be notified of their offences and the applicable penalties rather than relying solely on roadside interactions with Police officers.

He said the system could encourage drivers to become more conscious of traffic regulations because offences could be detected even in the absence of Police officers at particular locations.

However, other operators expressed reservations about the initiative, particularly the reliability of the technology.

They questioned what would happen if cameras, PDA devices, communication networks or other components of the system developed technical faults.

They argued that motorists should not be penalised for offences they did not commit due to malfunctions in the system.

Mr Lawrence Badzi, another transport operator, called for adequate public education, a reliable mechanism for challenging disputed violations and regular maintenance of the equipment to ensure that the system operated accurately and fairly.

The operators agreed that improving discipline on Ghana’s roads was necessary, stressing that enforcement measures should be accompanied by education and transparency.

The Police Service said the full implementation of Traffitech-Gh formed part of its efforts to address indiscipline on the country’s roads, improve compliance with road traffic laws and regulations, and contribute to safer roads while reducing crashes and casualties.