The days of people preaching, hawking or advertising products in moving commercial vehicles may be over, following the introduction of the new Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519).

The practices, which have often been described by some Ghanaians as a source of noise and distraction, are now covered by specific offences and penalties under the new regulations.

Persons found culpable face a fine of between 10 and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for up to eight months.

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Also, drivers who charge passengers fares above the authorised rates, a practice that has become common these days, especially during peak hours (morning and evening), could face fines or imprisonment under the new regulations.

A driver who is caught flouting the law could face a fine of 10 to 25 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.

The new regulations cover several other offences, and this article provides a detailed breakdown of all 25 offences.

1. Using a mobile phone while driving (Reg 132) – A driver could face a fine of up to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to three months, or both.

2. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (Reg. 131) – Offenders could face a fine of 50 to 200 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 40 months, or both.

3. Jumping a red light (Reg. 222(7)-(8)) – A fine of 10 to 30 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.

4. Failing to stop or yield at STOP and YIELD signs (Reg. 222) – A fine of 10 to 30 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.

5. Street racing, drag racing and speed competitions (Reg. 221) – A fine of 10 to 25 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.

6. Speeding or exceeding the prescribed speed limit (Reg. 212) – A fine of 10 to 25 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.

7. Failing to slow down in dangerous conditions (Reg. 213) – A fine of 50 to 100 penalty units, imprisonment for three to six months, or both.

8. Breaking railway crossing rules (Reg. 223) – A fine of 5 to 25 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.

9. Overtaking at a pedestrian crossing (Reg. 224) – A fine of 10 to 25 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.

10. Disobeying traffic control officers or devices (Reg. 226) – A fine of 10 to 25 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.

11. Failing to wear a seat belt (Reg. 144) – A fine of 10 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.

Motorcycle, tricycle and vehicle safety offences

12. Riding without a helmet or reflective clothing (Reg. 109) – A fine of 25 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for one to three months, or both.

13. Driving without warning triangles or approved devices (Reg. 108) – A fine of 25 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 30 days to three months, or both.

14. Driving with a tinted front windscreen (Reg. 92) – A fine of 25 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for one to three months, or both.

15. Using unsafe or worn-out tyres (Reg. 87) – A fine of 25 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 30 days to three months, or both.

16. Driving without a fire extinguisher and first-aid kit (Reg. 94) – A fine of 10 to 25 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.

17. Overloading a vehicle (Reg. 118) – A fine of 25 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to three months, or both.

Commercial transport offences

18. Operating commercial motorcycles or tricycles without authorisation (L.I. 2519) – The operator could face a fine of 50 to 100 penalty units, imprisonment for eight to 24 months, or both. The rider could face a fine of 25 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.

19. Overcharging passengers (Reg. 180) – A fine of 10 to 25 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.

20. Stopping or parking buses and taxis outside designated areas (Reg. 231) – A fine of 10 to 25 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.

21. Boarding or alighting at unauthorised places (Reg. 204) – A fine of up to five penalty units, imprisonment for up to seven days, or both.

Pedestrian, parking and roadside offences

22. Jaywalking or failing to use a footbridge (Reg. 203) – A fine of up to five penalty units, imprisonment for up to seven days, or both.

23. Improper parking (Regs. 228, 235) – A fine of 10 to 25 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both. Parking in a disability bay could attract a fine of up to 25 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.

24. Preaching or hawking in a moving public or commercial vehicle (Reg. 141) – A fine of 10 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.

25. Selling goods on roads and walkways, or washing or repairing a vehicle on the road (Regs. 142, 139) – Selling goods could attract a fine of up to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to three months, or both. Washing or repairing a vehicle on the road could attract a fine of up to 25 penalty units, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.

It is worthy to note that the Regulations also allow for automated enforcement of traffic offences. Under Regulation 242, offences detected by traffic enforcement devices will attract fines. The first, second and third offences carry a fine of 10 penalty units each, while a fourth offence attracts 15 penalty units and a fifth offence 20 penalty units.

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A sixth offence within 24 months could lead to court action. The driver could also have their licence suspended or revoked for at least 12 months and be required to undergo retraining and retesting.

Regulation 243 provides a general penalty for offences where no specific punishment is stated. Such offences attract a fine of 10 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.

Under Regulation 244, a court can also order a driver to undergo retraining if the offence involves carelessness, reckless driving, or deliberately ignoring the Regulations.

MAG/VPO

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