The Public Relations Officer of the Commercial Transport Operators Union, David Agboado, has questioned the implementation of the new Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), arguing that commercial drivers have not received enough public education on the provisions.
Mr Agboado noted that while authorities have placed considerable emphasis on penalties and electronic enforcement, other requirements contained in the regulation have received less attention. He therefore called for a more balanced approach that would help drivers understand their obligations before sanctions are imposed.
Speaking on the new traffic regulations, The PRO explained that the recent shift towards technology-based enforcement requires drivers to be adequately sensitised about how the system operates. Without sufficient education, he argued, motorists could face penalties without fully understanding the requirements they are expected to meet.
He particularly questioned the emphasis on fines and electronic enforcement under L.I. 2519, describing the approach as disheartening when other provisions of the regulation remain difficult to implement. According to Mr Agboado, the regulation also makes provision for rest stops for drivers travelling long distances.
“Have they provided us with the rest stops on the ways? There is no any rest stop on the way. Not even one. And the bus stops where the driver can stop and will not be arrested has been taken over by the traders. Will the trader be arrested too? Or it is only the driver?”
David Agboado
Furthermore, the PRO raised questions about the availability of designated bus stops, particularly as some spaces have been occupied by traders. He argued that drivers should not be penalised for failing to use facilities that have effectively been taken over by other activities.
Mr Agboado pointed to Regulation 142, which deals with issues surrounding bus stops, and questioned whether enforcement would also apply to traders occupying those designated areas. He stressed that responsibility should not fall exclusively on drivers when other factors affecting compliance remain unresolved.
Additionally, he argued that the authorities should address the practical conditions required for drivers to comply with long-distance driving provisions. For operators travelling from Accra to northern or western destinations, the absence of proper stopping facilities creates difficulties in observing mandatory rest requirements.
The PRO consequently urged authorities to intensify public sensitisation alongside enforcement of the new regulations. He indicated that drivers and transport operators would be better positioned to comply when they understand the rules and have access to the facilities required to follow them.
Transport Union Backs Advance Insurance Payment For Vehicle Towing
The PRO of the Commercial Transport Operators Union, Mr David Agboado, also backed the compulsory towing of broken-down vehicles from Ghana’s roads, proposing that the cost should be incorporated into vehicle insurance payments.
Mr Agboado acknowledged that vehicles left stranded on roads can contribute to crashes and endanger other road users. He therefore supported the towing requirement under the new traffic regulations, provided a sustainable payment mechanism is established before vehicles break down.
The PRO proposed that the Insurance Commission could incorporate towing charges into the annual insurance premium paid by vehicle owners. Under the arrangement, every registered and insured vehicle would contribute a predetermined amount towards towing services, allowing operators to access the service without making a separate payment at the point of an emergency.
Explaining the proposal, Mr Agboado suggested that the additional charge could be included when motorists renew their insurance. He argued that spreading the cost across the year would make towing more manageable for commercial operators while ensuring that funds are available when vehicles require removal from the road.
“If it is 1,000 cedi and they say 1,200, you know you are paying the towing throughout the year, 1,200. I mean, the 200 additions to your insurance. So, you know you are covered and you are secured.”
David Agboado
Moreover, the PRO raised questions about whether the institutions responsible for the system would have enough towing vehicles to respond promptly across the country. He noted that the effectiveness of the policy would depend not only on the regulation itself but also on the availability of adequate towing equipment.
Mr Agboado also queried arrangements for vehicles after they have been removed from the road. He pointed to the provision allowing authorities to auction vehicles after a specified period and argued that motorists who lack funds to repair their vehicles could face further difficulty if they cannot afford associated towing and storage costs.
Nonetheless, he stressed that the union accepts the need to remove broken-down vehicles from roads because of the dangers they create. He acknowledged that encountering an accident involving an abandoned or disabled vehicle could have severe consequences for motorists and other road users.
Accordingly, Mr Agboado urged authorities to establish a financing structure that would make the towing service readily available without imposing unexpected costs on drivers. He suggested that advance payments through insurance or another established vehicle registration process could provide the necessary funding.
The PRO further indicated that commercial operators would be willing to contribute towards such an arrangement. He explained that drivers recognise the risks posed by broken-down vehicles and would support a system capable of reducing those dangers.
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