Ghana’s Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), introduce a range of provisions intended to promote discipline, safety, and accountability on the country’s roads.
- 1. Street Racing and Speed Competitions
- 2. Failure to Stop at STOP or YIELD Signs
- 3. Jumping a Red Traffic Light
- 4. Violations at Railway Crossings
- 5. Dangerous Overtaking at Pedestrian Crossings
- 6. Disobeying Traffic Officers or Control Devices
- 7. Unauthorised Use of Bus Stops and Taxi Stands
- 8. Parking in Spaces Reserved for Persons with Disabilities
- 9. Driving Through a Funeral or Authorised Procession
- 10. Improper Parking and Double Parking
- 11. Outdoor Advertising Signs Obstructing Traffic Controls
- 12. Operating a Television Monitor While Driving
- 13. Washing or Repairing Vehicles on the Road
- 14. Preaching or Hawking on a Moving Public Vehicle
- 15. Selling Goods on Roads and Pedestrian Walkways
- Automated Traffic Enforcement: What Happens After Repeated Violations?
- What If an Offence Has No Specific Penalty?
- What This Means for Road Users
The regulations provide penalties for several familiar road traffic violations, including ignoring traffic signals, obstructing pedestrian crossings, improper parking, and unauthorised use of designated transport facilities.
They also provide for automated enforcement, graduated fines for certain repeated violations, and possible driving licence suspension or revocation.
Here are 15 road traffic offences and their corresponding penalties under the regulations.
1. Street Racing and Speed Competitions
Under Regulation 221, driving or permitting another person to drive in a race, speed competition, or endurance test on a road attracts a fine of 10 to 25 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.
Participating in an unauthorised race attracts the same penalty.
2. Failure to Stop at STOP or YIELD Signs
Regulation 222 penalises drivers who fail to stop at a STOP sign, fail to yield the right of way where required, or fail to stop before a pedestrian crossing.
The offence attracts a fine of 10 to 30 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.
Approaching a YIELD sign without slowing down may attract the same penalty.
3. Jumping a Red Traffic Light
Drivers who proceed through a red traffic light at a signalised intersection commit an offence under Regulation 222.
The prescribed penalty is a fine of 10 to 30 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.
4. Violations at Railway Crossings
Under Regulation 223, failing to stop within the prescribed distance of a railway line at a level crossing, or proceeding before it is safe to do so, attracts a fine of 5 to 25 penalty units or imprisonment for up to 30 days.
Passing through, around, or under a closed railway gate attracts the same penalty.
5. Dangerous Overtaking at Pedestrian Crossings
Regulation 224 prohibits overtaking a vehicle that has stopped at a pedestrian crossing to allow a pedestrian to cross.
The offence attracts a fine of 10 to 25 penalty units or imprisonment for up to 30 days.
Failure to slow down when approaching a marked pedestrian crossing may attract the same penalty.
6. Disobeying Traffic Officers or Control Devices
Under Regulation 226, disobeying a traffic control officer or a traffic control device attracts a fine of 10 to 25 penalty units or imprisonment for up to 30 days.
The provision reinforces the obligation of road users to comply with lawful traffic directions.
7. Unauthorised Use of Bus Stops and Taxi Stands
Using a bus stop or taxi stand without authorisation is an offence under Regulation 227.
A person found guilty may face a fine of 10 to 25 penalty units or imprisonment for up to 30 days.
8. Parking in Spaces Reserved for Persons with Disabilities
Regulation 228 penalises parking in a space reserved for persons with disabilities without being entitled to use it.
The offence attracts a fine of up to 25 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.
9. Driving Through a Funeral or Authorised Procession
Under Regulation 230, driving through a funeral or other authorised procession attracts a fine of 10 to 25 penalty units or imprisonment for up to 30 days.
Drivers are expected to respect authorised processions and comply with applicable traffic rules.
10. Improper Parking and Double Parking
Regulation 235 addresses several forms of improper parking, including:
- Parking contrary to traffic signs or within prohibited distances of junctions.
- Parking in front of building entrances or exits.
- Parking in loading areas, reserved bays, slip roads, hard shoulders, or central reserves where prohibited.
- Parking in a manner that obscures traffic signs.
- Double parking, commonly known as parking abreast of another vehicle.
- Parking in an area designated for a different category of vehicle.
Most of these offences attract a fine of 10 to 25 penalty units or imprisonment for up to 30 days.
11. Outdoor Advertising Signs Obstructing Traffic Controls
Under Regulation 236, an outdoor advertising sign that interferes with traffic or obscures a traffic sign or device attracts a fine of 25 to 50 penalty units or imprisonment for up to three months.
The provision highlights the responsibility to ensure that advertising installations do not compromise road safety.
12. Operating a Television Monitor While Driving
Regulation 237 prohibits using or operating a television monitor on the dashboard of a vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.
A person who contravenes the provision may face a fine of up to 25 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.
13. Washing or Repairing Vehicles on the Road
Under Regulation 139, washing or repairing a motor vehicle on a road attracts a fine of up to 25 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.
The provision addresses activities that may obstruct traffic or create risks for other road users.
14. Preaching or Hawking on a Moving Public Vehicle
Regulation 141 addresses preaching or hawking on a moving public or commercial vehicle.
Where no specific punishment is prescribed, the general penalty under Regulation 243 may apply. This includes a fine of 10 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.
15. Selling Goods on Roads and Pedestrian Walkways
Under Regulation 142, selling, displaying, or offering goods for sale on or alongside a road, on a pedestrian walkway, or near a railway crossing constitutes an offence in the circumstances specified by the regulation.
The offence attracts a fine of up to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to three months, or both.
Automated Traffic Enforcement: What Happens After Repeated Violations?
One of the significant features of L.I. 2519 is the provision for traffic offences detected by automated enforcement devices, including cameras.
Under Regulation 242, certain offences listed in the relevant schedule attract graduated automated fines.
The schedule provides for:
- First to third offence: 10 penalty units (GH¢120).
- Fourth offence: 15 penalty units (GH¢180).
- Fifth offence: 20 penalty units (GH¢240).
- Sixth offence within 24 months: Possible court-ordered licence suspension or revocation for at least 12 months, together with retraining and retesting.
These consequences apply within the scope of the offences and procedures covered by the regulations.
What If an Offence Has No Specific Penalty?
Regulation 243 provides a general penalty for contraventions for which the regulations do not prescribe a specific punishment.
Such an offence may attract a fine of 10 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.
Additionally, Regulation 244 allows a court to order retraining where an offence involves carelessness, recklessness, or wilful disregard of the regulations.
What This Means for Road Users
The Road Traffic Regulations, 2026, signal a stronger approach to road safety, accountability and responsible road use in Ghana. Their provisions demonstrate that violations may attract consequences extending beyond fines to imprisonment, retraining, retesting and restrictions on driving privileges.
For motorists, commercial drivers, vehicle owners, passengers and pedestrians, understanding and obeying the law is not merely about avoiding penalties; it is about protecting lives, promoting responsible road use and contributing to safer roads for everyone.
