TRAFFITECH-GH: What Ghanaian motorists need to know from October 1, 2026
The Cameras Are Watching
From October 1, 2026, motorists should expect Ghana’s TRAFFITECH-GH automated traffic enforcement system to move into full enforcement.
The system uses cameras and other technology to detect road traffic violations, including speeding and running red lights. According to the Ghana Police Service, images and videos captured by the system are reviewed and validated before an Electronic Notice of Violation (ENV) is issued to the vehicle owner.
The message for motorists is simple: traffic rules are no longer just being enforced by officers on the roadside. Technology is now part of the enforcement process.
First, Know Your Penalty Unit
Under the current system, 1 penalty unit is equivalent to GH¢12.
That means even an offence that may appear minor can quickly translate into a significant financial penalty.
Here are some of the offences motorists and other road users need to take seriously.
1. Using a Phone While Driving
Using a mobile phone while driving could attract a fine of up to GH¢600, with a possible prison term of up to three months.
With cameras and other automated enforcement devices being used to identify traffic violations, motorists should not assume that holding or operating a phone behind the wheel will go unnoticed.
2. Drink or Drug Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs carries one of the heavier penalties on the list.
The possible fine is GH¢600 to GH¢2,400, with possible imprisonment of up to 40 months.
The new road traffic regime also introduces a lower legal blood-alcohol limit, from 0.08 to 0.05.
3. Jumping a Red Light
Running a red light could cost between GH¢120 and GH¢360, with possible imprisonment of up to 30 days.
TRAFFITECH-GH specifically uses cameras to detect red-light violations.
4. Failing to Stop or Yield
Failure to stop or yield where required could attract GH¢120 to GH¢360, with possible imprisonment of up to 30 days.
5. Street or Drag Racing
Street or drag racing could result in a fine of GH¢120 to GH¢300 and possible imprisonment of up to 30 days.
6. Speeding
Speeding could cost GH¢120 to GH¢300, with possible imprisonment of up to 30 days.
Speed enforcement is one of the central functions of TRAFFITECH-GH, which uses fixed, mobile and laser speed-measurement devices.
7. Railway Crossing Violations
Violating railway-crossing rules could attract GH¢60 to GH¢300, with possible imprisonment of up to 30 days.
8. Overtaking at a Pedestrian Crossing
Overtaking at a pedestrian crossing could attract GH¢120 to GH¢300, with possible imprisonment of up to 30 days.
9. Disobeying a Traffic Officer or Device
Ignoring the instructions of a traffic officer or traffic-control device could cost GH¢120 to GH¢300, with possible imprisonment of up to 30 days.
10. Unauthorised Use of a Bus Stop or Taxi Rank
Using a designated bus stop or taxi rank without authorisation could attract GH¢120 to GH¢300, with possible imprisonment of up to 30 days.
11. Parking in a Disability Bay
Parking in a space reserved for persons with disabilities could result in a fine of up to GH¢300, with possible imprisonment of up to eight months.
12. Procession or Funeral Traffic Offences
Traffic offences committed in connection with processions or funerals could attract GH¢120 to GH¢300, with possible imprisonment of up to 30 days.
13. Bus or Taxi Parking in the Wrong Place
Improper parking by buses or taxis could attract GH¢120 to GH¢300, with possible imprisonment of up to 30 days.
14. Failure to Provide Required Disability Facilities
Public transport operators who fail to provide required facilities for persons with disabilities could face GH¢120 to GH¢300 in fines and possible imprisonment of up to 30 days.
15. Improper or Double Parking
Improper or double parking could attract GH¢120 to GH¢300, with possible imprisonment of up to 30 days.
16. Operating a TV Monitor While Driving
Operating a television monitor while driving could attract a fine of up to GH¢300, with possible imprisonment of up to 30 days.
17. Unauthorised Okada or Aboboyaa Operations
For unauthorised commercial motorcycle or tricycle operations, the penalties can be considerably higher.
Operator:
- Fine: GH¢600 to GH¢1,200
- Possible imprisonment: up to 24 months
Rider:
- Fine: GH¢300 to GH¢600
- Possible imprisonment: up to eight months
TRAFFITECH-GH applies to motorcycles, tricycles, taxis, trotros, private cars and other classes of vehicles using Ghana’s public roads.
18. Overcharging Passengers
Overcharging passengers could attract GH¢120 to GH¢300, with possible imprisonment of up to 30 days.
19. Boarding or Alighting at the Wrong Place
Boarding or getting off a vehicle at an unauthorised location could attract a fine of up to GH¢60, with possible imprisonment of up to seven days.
20. Jaywalking or Refusing to Use a Footbridge
Pedestrians who jaywalk or refuse to use a designated footbridge could face a fine of up to GH¢60, with possible imprisonment of up to seven days.
21. Preaching or Hawking in a Moving Trotro or Bus
Preaching or hawking inside a moving commercial vehicle could attract GH¢120 to GH¢600, with possible imprisonment of up to eight months.
22. Selling Goods on the Road or Walkway
Selling goods on a road or walkway could attract a fine of up to GH¢600, with possible imprisonment of up to three months.
23. Washing or Repairing a Vehicle on the Road
Washing or repairing a vehicle on the road could attract up to GH¢300 in fines, with possible imprisonment of up to 30 days.
Now Comes the Camera Part
This is where vehicle owners need to pay particular attention.
Under TRAFFITECH-GH automated enforcement, camera-detected violations are processed electronically. The Ghana Police Service says the system captures photographic or video evidence, which is transmitted for validation before an Electronic Notice of Violation is sent to the registered owner.
The stated camera-violation progression is:
- 1st offence — GH¢120
- 2nd offence — GH¢120
- 3rd offence — GH¢120
- 4th offence — GH¢180
- 5th offence — GH¢240
The Sixth Offence
The sixth offence within the applicable 24-month period can have consequences beyond another fine, including court proceedings and possible action against the driver’s licence, depending on the applicable provisions and circumstances.
The new road-traffic regime also introduces a demerit-point system linked to drivers’ licences.
The Fine Goes to the Registered Owner
This may be the part every car owner should remember.
If a camera catches a traffic violation, the Electronic Notice of Violation is issued to the registered owner of the vehicle. The Police FAQ expressly states that the registered owner remains liable even when someone else was driving.
So, if you lend your car to a friend and your friend speeds through a camera-controlled area, the camera does not know that your friend borrowed the vehicle.
The notice goes to the registered owner.
That makes keeping your vehicle ownership records up to date especially important. The Police say that someone who has sold a vehicle but has not formally updated the ownership details with the DVLA can remain responsible for violations committed while the vehicle is still registered in their name.
What Happens When You Receive an Electronic Notice?
According to the Ghana Police Service, motorists should:
- Check the evidence using the ticket number on Ghana’s official government portal.
- Pay within 14 days, using an approved payment channel; or
- Contest the violation online within 14 days if they believe it is incorrect.
If the fine is not paid within the permitted period, the Police say a 1% penalty on the original fine is added for each day of default.
Motorists can also check outstanding fines using *220#.
Beware of Fake Traffic-Fine Messages
With automated enforcement comes the possibility of scams.
The Ghana Police Service says genuine Traffitech-GH Electronic Notices are sent with the sender ID GPS-MTTD. It also warns motorists not to click suspicious links or send money to personal numbers.
Official payment and evidence-viewing services are provided through ghana.gov.gh.
The Bottom Line
TRAFFITECH-GH is changing the way traffic offences are detected and enforced in Ghana.
For motorists, the safest approach is straightforward: know the rules, obey the signs, respect speed limits, avoid using your phone while driving, and remember that lending your vehicle also means potentially exposing yourself as the registered owner to penalties arising from its use.
The cameras do not know who your friend is.
They know the vehicle.
So the next time your friend says:
“Boss, lend me your car small…”
You might want to remember who the camera’s notice is going to.
Source note: the Ghana Police Service confirms the core Traffitech-GH mechanisms and owner-liability provisions, while the Ministry of Transport confirms the 2026 legal reforms, including automated enforcement and the demerit-point system.
