Consumer Protection and Public Policy think tank CUTS International Accra is calling on the government to delay the full enforcement of the automated TRAFFITECH-GH traffic system, scheduled to launch on October 1, 2026.
CUTS Accra argues that until deteriorating traffic lights and road markings across the capital are thoroughly inspected and repaired, it will be an injustice and unfair for the state to start issuing fines to supposed offenders.
While supporting the deployment of technology to enhance road safety and reduce crashes, the advocacy group insists that automated enforcement can only be fair if drivers are given a clear, fair chance to obey the law
“Government should hold drivers to the law. Government must also make the law clear and visible on the road,” CUTS Accra argued in its official release.
For the think tank, the purpose of TRAFFITECH-GH is safer roads, not tickets arising from traffic lights drivers could not see.
Why CUTS is Calling for an Immediate Pause
The research and policy think tank outlined at least three critical infrastructure failures that make immediate automated fining unfair to motorists.
Obscured, Damaged, and Malfunctioning Signals
Across Accra, overgrown tree branches routinely block approaching drivers’ views of traffic signals.
At several intersections, signal heads are damaged, displaced, or completely out of service, while at others, only one of two traffic lights works. These physical defects create situations where a high-mounted camera may capture a vehicle crossing a junction, even when the driver could not physically see an active red light.
Faded Lane Markings and Invisible Stop Lines
CUTS says proper enforcement relies on clear road demarcation, yet many road networks suffer from severely faded lane markings and erased stop lines.
Without clear visual boundaries on the roads, drivers face uncertainty when trying to position their vehicles properly, creating safety hazards and exposing them to automated fines for offenses caused by poor road maintenance rather than reckless driving.
Missing Speed Limit Signs Ahead of Cameras
Under the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), general speed limits are established by law, but physical signage warning drivers of specific limit changes remains scarce.
CUTS warns that motorists, especially those unfamiliar with an area, cannot easily determine where built-up zones begin or where lower speed limits apply near schools, busy markets, and high-pedestrian areas without clear physical road signs.
“A camera’s clear view of a vehicle does not mean the driver has a clear view of the relevant signal or sign,” CUTS indicated, warning against issuing fines without prior physical signage.
The Road Ahead: A Call for Pre-Activation Audits
Rather than rushing the October 1 rollout, CUTS is proposing a practical, multi-step solution.
Joint Driver-Perspective Audits: The Ghana Police Service and the Department of Urban Roads must inspect every proposed camera location directly from the driver’s seat, evaluating signal visibility across all lanes during both day and night, as well as under rainy conditions.
Mandatory Infrastructure Repairs: Authorities should trim blocking vegetation, repair and realign broken signal heads, repaint faded lane markings, and erect clear speed limit signs before cameras go live.
Phased Activation: Automated fining should only be activated at specific locations once all necessary physical infrastructure at that junction is fully operational and clearly visible to motorists.
The Bottomline
By delaying the launch until these physical defects are addressed, CUTS argues that the government can build public trust, improve actual road safety, and avoid turning an automated safety initiative into an unfair revenue trap.
