Ghana’s road traffic enforcement system is set to undergo a major change with the introduction of TraffiTech-GH, a digital system designed to detect traffic violations, issue electronic fines and improve compliance with road traffic regulations.
Developed by the Ghana Police Service, the system uses cameras, sensors, mobile devices and laser speed-measurement equipment to identify selected road traffic offences, capture evidence and notify motorists electronically.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the enforcement of traffic laws, particularly in situations where police officers are not physically present, while helping to reduce road crashes, deaths and injuries resulting from reckless driving.
But with the system going live, motorists will need to understand how it works, the offences it covers, how fines are issued and the steps to take when they receive an Electronic Notice of Violation (ENV).
Here is what you need to know about TraffiTech-GH.
How does TraffiTech-GH work?
TraffiTech-GH is an automated traffic enforcement system that relies on different technologies to detect and document road traffic violations.
It uses fixed cameras, mobile or in-vehicle devices and laser speed-measurement equipment to capture offences, including speeding and running red lights.
Once a suspected violation is detected, the system automatically transmits the photographic or video evidence to the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) back office for review and validation.
An Electronic Notice of Violation is subsequently issued to the motorist or registered owner of the vehicle if the offence is confirmed.
The process is intended to make traffic enforcement more efficient by ensuring that violations can be detected and documented without requiring an officer to stop every offending vehicle.
What offences can TraffiTech-GH detect?
The system covers several traffic violations, extending beyond speeding and disregard for traffic signals.
Offences that can attract an Electronic Notice of Violation include:
– Exceeding prescribed speed limits.
– Running red traffic lights.
– Wrongful overtaking.
– Failure to wear seatbelts.
– Driving with an expired driver’s licence.
– Using a vehicle with an expired roadworthiness certificate.
– Driving an uninsured vehicle.
– Misuse of sirens.
Motorists are therefore expected to pay attention to the full range of traffic regulations, as the system is designed to identify multiple forms of non-compliance.
What is an Electronic Notice of Violation (ENV)?
An Electronic Notice of Violation is an official SMS notification issued by the Ghana Police Service through the MTTD to inform a motorist or registered vehicle owner that a traffic offence has been recorded.
For camera-detected offences, the notice is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. However, where an MTTD officer records an offence during a roadside stop using a handheld Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), the notice may be issued directly to the driver.
The ENV contains essential information to help recipients identify and verify the alleged offence.
These include the ticket reference number, vehicle registration number, location, date and time of the violation, description of the offence, applicable fine and payment deadline.
Motorists are advised to pay attention to the sender ID to distinguish genuine notifications from fraudulent messages.
How can motorists identify genuine TraffiTech-GH messages?
With the introduction of electronic traffic fines, motorists are also being cautioned against fraudulent messages from individuals seeking to exploit the system.
According to the information provided by the MTTD, genuine TraffiTech-GH notifications will not be sent from ordinary telephone numbers.
The official sender ID is GPS-MTTD. Messages from personal telephone numbers claiming to be traffic violation notices should be disregarded as potential scams.
Genuine notifications will also carry the heading “Speed Kills… reduce it now” and provide details such as the vehicle registration number, registered owner’s name, date and time of the offence, location and specific violation recorded.
Motorists are encouraged to verify these details before making any payment.
What should you do after receiving an ENV?
Receiving an Electronic Notice of Violation does not automatically mean a motorist must appear in court.
The first step is to examine the notification carefully and confirm that the vehicle registration details and other information correspond with the vehicle and alleged offence.
Motorists who accept the violation can proceed to pay the stated fine through the approved payment platforms.
However, those who believe the notice was wrongly issued or wish to dispute the allegation have the right to contest it.
Do all motorists who receive an ENV have to go to court?
No. A court appearance is not compulsory for every motorist who receives an Electronic Notice of Violation.
Under the outlined procedure, motorists who accept the violation can settle the fine without going to court.
Those who dispute the notice, however, have 14 days from the date it was issued to initiate the contest process online.
As part of the process, the motorist must select a preferred MTTD regional police station and choose a date for a hearing.
The MTTD will subsequently confirm the appointment through an SMS notification.
At the hearing, the individual is required to present the ENV reference number and a valid form of identification to support the contest.
How can motorists pay TraffiTech-GH fines?
Motorists who accept the violation can settle their fines electronically through the government’s payment platform, Ghana.gov.gh.
Available payment options include mobile money services such as MTN, Telecel and AirtelTigo, as well as debit and credit cards.
Alternatively, motorists can dial *222#, select option six and follow the prompts to complete the payment.
Recipients are advised to use only the approved payment channels when settling fines.
Traffitech offences and penalties
What happens if you receive a fine for a vehicle you have never owned?
The Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519) provide for Electronic Notices of Violation to be sent to the registered telephone number of the owner of the vehicle involved in the offence.
However, a person who receives a notice relating to a vehicle they have never owned, including one that has never belonged to their employer, is expected to contact the TraffiTech-GH Call Centre immediately to report the discrepancy.
The report will allow the authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the notification.
Motorists are, however, cautioned against making false reports, as doing so could attract additional penalties.
What if you have sold your vehicle but still receive a traffic fine?
Selling a vehicle does not automatically absolve the previous owner of responsibility for traffic violations if the ownership records have not been officially updated.
Under the applicable regulations, vehicle owners are required to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) of a change in ownership and ensure that the new owner’s details, including the relevant telephone information, are reflected in the authority’s records.
Until the records are updated, the person whose name remains registered as the owner may continue to bear legal responsibility for offences committed using the vehicle.
This could leave a former owner liable for fines and additional penalties arising from late payment, even after the vehicle has been sold.
Motorists who transfer ownership of their vehicles are therefore encouraged to complete the necessary DVLA procedures promptly to avoid future complications.
What motorists should remember
TraffiTech-GH is intended to make traffic enforcement more systematic by using technology to detect violations and hold motorists accountable.
For drivers, the introduction of the system means that compliance with road traffic regulations will increasingly be monitored through automated devices, rather than depending solely on the physical presence of police officers.
Understanding how notices are issued, the approved payment channels and the procedures for challenging alleged violations will be important in helping motorists avoid unnecessary penalties and protect themselves against fraudulent messages.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of the system will depend not only on its ability to detect offences but also on motorists’ understanding of the procedures and their commitment to observing road safety regulations.
