Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Kwasi Agyeman Busia, has disclosed that road safety laws must be reviewed to adapt to the current transport landscape, following the alarming rate of road crashes in the country.

Speaking at the national consultative forum on road safety, he noted that the forum is aimed at reviewing sections of the road traffic regulations 2012 LI 21 (80).

Among other factors, Mr Busia explained that the meeting also sought to deliberate and address the “implementation challenges”. Also, he noted that the outcome will ensure incorporating new and emerging practices in the “management of road transport industry”.

The DVLA boss revealed that road transport plays a critical role in every society. As such, when not carefully managed comes with “unimaginable loss to individuals and families”.

Buttressing on the impact of “road traffic crashes”, he noted that it doesn’t “only debilitate families” but also denies the country of human capital needed for national development and goals.

“The fact is, risky behaviours of drivers associated with road traffic crashes, left unchecked do adapt to change in societal dynamics and growth. It is therefore necessary that our road safety laws be updated to be relevant and consequential to the ever-changing times with transport landscapes”.
Kwasi Agyeman Busia

Mr Busia indicated that risks posed by mobile phone users while driving at unsafe and unregulated speed limits and driving under the influence of alcohol have emerged as some of the leading causes of fatalities on our roads.

Road safety regulations

On his part, Transport Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, revealed that the road traffic regulation deliberated on was passed by parliament to “give effect to the road traffic Act 2004”.

According to him, the regulation included but not limited to discarding maximum speed limit for motor vehicles and provide for exemptions in special cases.

“The regulations were fashioned out to replace the 1974 road traffic regulation… which overtime fell short to provisions to address trends in the road transport [industry] particularly with respect to road safety. It provided a more comprehensive regulation of road traffic and road use to ensure safety on our roads…”
Kwaku Ofori Asiamah

Over the years, Mr Asiamah revealed that implementation on a number of issues have been introduced to give “effect to regulations”. Key among the reforms, he explained, are driving licensing administration with introduction of driver licensing system and new vehicle registration systems.

Mr Asiamah explained that reforms have led to a new work flow and reduction in “fraudulent practices as well as revenue leakage”. Introduction of road worthy certificates, he noted, has also reduced fraudulent practices.

In spite of these “interventions”, the transport minister disclosed it has become apparent that some of the provisions of the regulations “need to be reviewed and enhanced”.

Mr Asiamah emphasized that challenges such as technical and legislative deficiencies has made it necessary to introduce new provisions in line with development trends, “changing social norms and values…”