National Road Safety Authority and Experts Push for Comprehensive Driver Reform Under New Traffic Regulations

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has launched an extensive sensitization campaign to educate commercial motorbike and tricycle operators on the newly enacted Ghana Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (Legislative Instrument 2519). Following the passage of the legislation by Parliament in December 2025, the NRSA is currently focusing on the Upper East Region to ensure operators understand the legal requirements designed to reduce road accidents. This initiative coincides with a broader national discourse on moving beyond simple licensing toward a comprehensive, technology-driven driver management system that monitors behavior throughout a motorist’s career.

Under the new LI 2519, commercial riders must meet several strict criteria to continue operations legally. Key provisions include a mandatory minimum age of 21 for all commercial riders and the requirement that every operator belongs to a recognized union for better oversight and supervision. In the Upper East Region, NRSA officials are emphasizing the compulsory use of crash helmets and the importance of unionization, with support from the National Union of Tricycle Operators Ghana. This six-month educational transition period is intended to foster compliance before full enforcement begins, aiming to professionalize the sector and curb the high rate of crashes involving two- and three-wheeled vehicles.

Complementing these legislative changes, road safety experts, including DCOP David Senanu Eklu (Rtd.), are calling for a fundamental shift in how Ghana manages driver records. A proposed National Driver Safety Profile would integrate traffic history into a single database, moving away from the current system where the DVLA lacks a comprehensive record of a driver’s traffic infractions. Central to this vision is a penalty-points system similar to that used in the UK, where drivers start with a set number of points that are deducted for infractions. Such a system would enable authorities to identify high-risk drivers early and mandate retraining or license suspension, effectively treating driving as a lifelong responsibility.

The integration of modern technology is seen as the vital link between these new regulations and long-term behavioral change. By utilizing digital systems to maintain data integrity and track driver infractions across various agencies, Ghana can establish a framework that encourages more responsible road use. As the NRSA continues its regional outreach, the success of these reforms will depend on the effective coordination between the DVLA, the police, and transport unions to ensure that the road safety framework is both comprehensive and consistently enforced across the country.