The Public Relations Officer of the True Drivers Union, Yaw Barimah, has cast doubt on the ability of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) to implement its new road traffic regulations on November 1, insisting the date will have to be rescheduled.
Mr. Barimah says the Authority is not ready for full enforcement and is being selective in its approach to the new Legislative Instrument (L.I.).
According to him, the NRSA cannot ignore Regulation 142 of the L.I., which prohibits trading on roads, at bus stops, on pedestrian walkways, at former toll booths and along railway lines, while moving ahead to enforce Regulation 242, which bans drivers from unauthorized parking.
Speaking on Nhyira FM’s Kuro Yi Mu Nsem with host Nana Ampratwum, he described such a move as unfair and discriminatory against drivers.
“You cannot overlook Regulation 142, which affects traders, and jump to Regulation 242, which affects drivers. If you want to implement the law, implement it wholly,” he argued.
He contended that roadside trading is a major cause of congestion and pedestrian knockdowns at bus stops and intersections, and must be addressed before drivers are penalized for parking violations caused by lack of space.
Mr. Barimah also raised concerns about Regulation 143, which mandates that a commercial driver take a mandatory rest at a designated government rest stop after every four hours of continuous driving.
He questioned the availability of such facilities across the country.
“Regulation 143 says a driver should stop at a government rest stop after every four hours. How many government rest stops do we have from Accra to Paga? From Kumasi to Accra? The infrastructure does not exist,” he said.
According to him, enforcing the regulation without providing the necessary infrastructure would amount to setting drivers up for failure.
The True Drivers Union PRO further alleged that commercial drivers, who are key stakeholders, were not adequately consulted in the drafting of the regulations.
He claimed that engagements by the NRSA have been merely symbolic.
“The Road Safety Authority will only invite us, take pictures with us, and there is no real discussion. The next day you will see the pictures on the front pages of various newspapers and major headlines that they have engaged drivers,” he alleged.
He said the approach undermines trust and makes compliance difficult, as drivers do not fully understand the intent and operationalization of the regulations.
Mr. Barimah is therefore calling on the NRSA to suspend the November 1 implementation date, return to the consultation table, enforce the law in its entirety, and ensure that critical infrastructure such as designated rest stops and proper bus terminals are provided before enforcement begins.
The NRSA has said the new L.I. is aimed at curbing indiscipline on Ghana’s roads, reducing crashes, and streamlining road use for all stakeholders.