The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), with support from the Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), has presented six new speed detection devices to the Accra Central Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service to enforce laws on speed limit in the city.

The TruCAM II device is an ultimate traffic and speed enforcement laser device with a video that provides a high-resolution image and shows the licence plate number.

The device, which is more than just a speed enforcement device, can also help identify other traffic violations such as following too closely, aggressive driving, misuse of designated lanes, distracted driving, obstructing traffic and seatbelt violations, among others.

Speaking at a brief ceremony at the Accra City Hall to formally present the items to the Police, the Metropolitan Chief Executive of Accra, Elizabeth Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, said the donations would go a long way to ensure professionalism in enforcing speed rules in Accra, especially following the recent surge in road crashes.

“Today, AMA together with its international partners, the Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) is here to demonstrate our resolve to help curb this needless loss of lives on our roads. In this season when road crashes abound, it is paramount to assist the Police MTTD with devices so that they can properly and professionally enforce speed in Accra,” she said.

She added that findings from the AMA Road Safety Report indicated that reported road traffic deaths increased from 103 in 2019 to 136 in 2020, representing a 32% increase; hence, the need to vigorously enforce the rules on speeding to curb the issue.

“Road crash and injury statistics tell an upsetting story about the state of road crashes in the city of Accra...this lends credence to the global prediction of an increase in road traffic crashes and deaths over the next 10 years, if governments do not put in place urgent concerted action to stop the carnage."

Madam Elizabeth Sackey called on the Police to enforce the road traffic regulations without any fear or favour.

The Mayor also acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders in the quest to educate and enforce laws to make the roads safe for all, and called on the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Authority (DVLA) to not issue roadworthy certificates to unfit vehicles to safeguard the safety of drivers, passengers and other road users.

The Director-General of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Police Service, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Ofosu Agyemang expressed his appreciation to the AMA, BIGRS and their partners for their efforts in ensuring safety on our roads.

"It's also a fact and worth mentioning that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety have also been working closely with the Police MTTD to lessen the number of roads fatalities in the city of Accra since 2018.

"The collaboration has also provided continuous enforcement of capacity building and programmes geared towards the formation of cross speed safety device in the MTTD," he said.

DCOP Agyemang assured that the devices would be put to good use and warned motorists to drive within the posted speed limits and observe all road signs in the city.