Gov’t launches nationwide campaign on new road traffic laws

The Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has launched a nationwide public education campaign on the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1153) and the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519).

The exercise, launched in Accra, is aimed at improving road safety, strengthening traffic enforcement and educating road users on the new legal requirements.

The campaign will target drivers, commuters, transport operators, fleet operators, law enforcement agencies and other road safety stakeholders across all 16 regions.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Nikpe said the new laws were developed through extensive consultations with transport operators, road safety experts, the Police Service, advocacy groups, logistics stakeholders, Okada riders’ associations, parliamentary committees and other relevant institutions.

The Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 was passed by Parliament and assented to by President John Dramani Mahama on December 24, 2025, while the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 were approved by Parliament on May 28, 2026.

Among the major reforms are the introduction of automated speed and red-light cameras, a demerit point system for drivers, tougher penalties for serious traffic offences and a reduction in the legal blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05.

The regulations also introduce stricter requirements for commercial and public transport operators, including mandatory speed limiters, axle-load controls and regulations governing the commercial use of motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles for passenger services.

Mr Nikpe stressed that the success of the reforms would depend on effective enforcement and cooperation among institutions including the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), National Insurance Commission (NIC), Ghana Highways Authority and transport unions.

He urged all road users and stakeholders to take responsibility for road safety and comply with the new regulations.

“No Ghanaian should lose their life simply by trying to move from one place to the other,” he stressed.

By Agnes Kusi