12.8 C
London
Monday, March 10, 2025

Govt to reintroduce Road Traffic Amendment bill, Drops MPs’ siren clause

The Acting Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Abraham Amaliba, has announced the reintroduction of the Road Traffic Regulations Amendment Bill to Parliament within two months.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, March 10, 2025, Mr. Amaliba clarified that the revised bill will focus on introducing spot fines for drivers who violate road traffic regulations, as well as the legalisation of okada (commercial motorcycles).

It would be recalled that in July 2024, the then government attempted to amend the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 (LI 2180) to include a clause permitting MPs and judges of the superior courts to use sirens while driving.

However, the amendment faced significant public backlash and was ultimately shelved.

The reintroduction of the bill, according to the NRSA boss, will be without the controversial provision allowing Members of Parliament (MPs) and judges to use sirens.

He said the move forms part of broader efforts to enhance road safety and streamline traffic regulation enforcement in Ghana.

Explaining the timeline for the reintroduction of the bill, Abraham Amaliba said: “Give me two months and LI 2180, if it is passed, we will bring into force the spot fine. You remember this law was supposed to be passed, but there was a public outcry against the siren, which was put in there to protect MPs. That didn’t help the passage of the law. That bill is been worked on so that we will be able to bring about a spot fine,” he stated.

He further explained that the new bill will include the implementation of a system called “Traffic Tech,” which will facilitate the enforcement of spot fines for traffic violations.

“There is a programme called Traffic Tech, which is the spot fine we are referring to and it will come immediately after this law is passed. We have removed the part that will help MPs use a siren so it will come without that included. It will also come with the legalization of Okada,” he added.

Latest news
Related news