
The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service has significantly increased traffic safety. The number of road accidents and fatalities drastically decreased between January and October 2023 when the MTTD convicted about 3,000 traffic offenders.
These prosecutions have resulted from several noteworthy interventions, including Police Invisible Eyes and Operation PAILES (Police Anti-Insecure Loading Enforcement Strategy). While there are now twelve people behind bars, the majority of the country’s revenue comes from fines imposed on other people. There are currently twelve people behind bars, but the country makes a large amount of its money from penalties imposed on other people.
At the launch of the National Road Safety Authority’s “Stop speeding-Stay Alive” road safety campaign on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, Chief Superintendent Alexander Obeng, Director for Research and Education at the MTTD, spoke to the media and expressed hope that the punitive measures will help to change behaviour.
From January to October of this year, we can announce that, based on all of our efforts, approximately 2, 705 offenders who appeared in court were found guilty. Twelve people have been imprisoned thus far, and the court has fined each of them differently. In total, the state has been fined GH¢1,988,219 thus far. We anticipate that this will significantly discourage those who are brave enough to repeat such actions as well as those who plan to start for the first time,” he stated.
Police Action Against Rider Indiscipline (OPERATION PAARI), which educates offenders and provides warning letters, is another reason for the noteworthy decline in motorcycle-related fatalities.
There have been 751 deaths so far this year, compared to 811 by October of the previous year. “We would be happy if the population is increasing and this introduction is also yielding positive results because one death is one too many,” Chief Superintendent Alexander Obeng said.