Mahama Pledges Monthly Road Crash Audits to Measure TraffiTech's Impact

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will compare road crash statistics month by month with figures from the corresponding period last year, using the data to determine whether the newly activated TraffiTech enforcement system is reducing accidents and saving lives.

Speaking at a meet-the-press session at Jubilee House on Thursday, November 5, Mahama urged motorists to observe speed limits—particularly the 50-kilometre-per-hour limit in urban areas—as authorities intensify enforcement through automated technology.

"I can assure you, if we bear with this TraffiTech system, when you see the results of reduction in accidents at the end of the year, because it started November 1st, we'll do a month-to-month comparison with last year," the President said . "And you yourself will be surprised at the number of lives this TraffiTech system will save."

The Human Cost Behind the Policy

Mahama cited road safety statistics to justify the system's introduction, saying 2,151 people were killed in road crashes in Ghana last year, including 474 pedestrians who died in knockdown incidents . He added that a significant number of the pedestrian fatalities involved schoolchildren who were knocked down while returning from school.

According to the President, excessive speeding reduces drivers' ability to stop in time when pedestrians unexpectedly cross the road, increasing the risk of collisions. "The general speed limit in any urban centre, including Accra, is 50. And so you are not supposed to go above 50," he said, urging motorists to adhere to the limit to improve their chances of stopping in time .

Only Speeding Enforcement Is Operational

Mahama clarified that the speeding enforcement module was the only component of the TraffiTech system currently operational. Other violations, including running red lights and illegal parking, have not yet been incorporated .

The system, which became operational on November 1, 2026, uses digital cameras deployed at strategic points to detect speeding offences and generate video evidence of offending vehicles . The rollout has attracted criticism from some motorists and driver unions, who have questioned the timing of the initiative, arguing that government should first address poor road conditions, malfunctioning traffic lights, and inadequate road markings .

Mahama dismissed those concerns, citing the use of speed cameras in the United Kingdom despite imperfect roads. "If it's too expensive, then don't overspeed," he said. "The maximum speed in town is 50. However good the road is, you do 50. If you do that, you are fine, and you will not have to pay anything" .