In its attempts to increase traffic safety, the Ghana Police Service’s Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) has seen considerable success.

The MTTD was successful in getting nearly 3,000 traffic offenders convicted between January and October 2023, which significantly reduced the number of traffic accidents and fatalities.

These convictions are a result of notable interventions such as Police Invisible Eyes and Operation PAILES (Police Anti-Insecure Loading Enforcement Strategy).

Twelve people are incarcerated at the moment, but the fines levied against others make up a sizeable portion of the nation’s income.

Speaking to the media at the National Road Safety Authority’s “Stop speeding-Stay Alive” road safety Christmas campaign launch on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, Chief Superintendent Alexander Obeng, Director for Research and Education at the MTTD, expressed optimism that the punitive measures will help to change behavior.

“In this process January to October this year, we can report that in all our efforts about 2, 705 offenders when they were put before court were convicted. So far, 12 are in jail and the court imposed varying fines on all and so far it has accrued into the state coffers a total fine of GH¢1,988,219. We hope this will go a long way to deter those who are bold to repeat such behaviours and deter those who intend to start for the first time,” he said.

The notable decrease in motorcycle-related fatalities is also a result of Police Action Against Rider Indiscipline (OPERATION PAARI), which raises awareness among offenders and issues warning letters.

“Last year, we had 811 deaths by October…it has reduced to 751. One death is one too many so if the population is increasing and this introduction is also yielding positive results it’s natural that we are happy with it,” Chief Superintendent Alexander Obeng noted.