The Centre for Road and Transport Safety (CERTS) has raised concerns over the increasing practice of commercial drivers picking up and dropping off passengers at unauthorized locations along major highways across the country.
According to CERTS, the practice poses a serious threat to road safety and could contribute to avoidable crashes, particularly on busy highways where vehicles travel at high speeds and heavy-duty trucks frequently operate.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, August 13, 2026, the road safety advocacy organisation stressed that major highways are designed primarily as fast-moving corridors and, therefore, are not intended to function as conventional bus-stop areas.
CERTS explained that the Ghana Highway Authority provides designated bus-stop facilities on service lanes to enable commuters to board and alight from vehicles without interfering with traffic on the main carriageway.
It consequently described the practice of commercial drivers stopping on highway shoulders to pick up or drop off passengers as reckless and a breach of road discipline.
“Stopping abruptly on a highway creates such danger,” CERTS said, citing provisions of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180).
The organisation further referenced Regulation 14 of L.I. 2180, which provides that a driver must not stop a vehicle on a road in a manner that causes danger or obstruction to other road users.
CERTS singled out the Achimota–Ofankor highway as one of the areas where unauthorized passenger loading and dropping have become routine.
The organisation identified locations including Mile 7, St. John’s, Taifa Junction and Barrier as points where commercial drivers frequently stop outside designated facilities to pick up or drop off commuters.
It warned that the situation is particularly dangerous because of the high volume of heavy-duty vehicles using the stretch.
According to CERTS, a mechanical failure or brake failure involving a trailer or other heavy vehicle could have devastating consequences when other vehicles or commuters are occupying the shoulders of the highway.
The organisation said the potential for a single incident to trigger a major crash makes strict enforcement necessary.
CERTS also expressed concern about the role of commuters in perpetuating the problem.
It said some passengers deliberately abandon designated bus stops and instead wait at unauthorized locations because they consider them more convenient.
This behaviour, it noted, puts pressure on commercial drivers to stop at locations where they are not permitted to do so.
The organisation said the resulting roadside stopping contributes to congestion on service lanes and, in some cases, spills onto the main carriageway.
CERTS further cited Amasaman and Pokuase as areas where unauthorized boarding and alighting continue despite the presence of City Taskforce personnel and police officers.
The organisation questioned why the practice persists despite the availability of enforcement personnel and clear legal provisions regulating where passengers may be picked up and dropped off.
CERTS said Ghana’s existing road traffic laws provide a clear legal basis for dealing with the practice.
It cited Regulation 47 of L.I. 2180, which states that passengers must not be picked up or set down except at a designated bus stop or lay-by.
The organisation also referred to Regulation 131, which makes it an offence to obstruct a road or interfere with traffic signs, bus stops and other traffic facilities.
According to CERTS, the continued disregard for these provisions reflects an enforcement gap rather than an absence of laws.
The road safety organisation also raised concerns about the state of some designated bus stops.
It identified Achimota, Tesano and Avenor as areas where bus stops have allegedly been taken over by hawkers, petty traders, vehicle dealers and motorcycle dealers.
CERTS said the encroachment has rendered some of the designated facilities unusable, thereby contributing to the tendency of commuters and drivers to use unauthorized points along the road.
It called for the affected facilities to be reclaimed and protected to ensure that they serve their intended road safety purpose.
CERTS has consequently called for coordinated action from institutions responsible for road safety, traffic management and local governance.
It urged the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service to intensify enforcement and prosecute drivers who pick up or drop passengers at unauthorized locations.
The organisation also called on the Ghana Highway Authority to ensure that all designated bus stops are properly demarcated, protected and kept free from encroachment.
Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies were urged to enforce their respective by-laws and remove traders, vehicle dealers and other businesses occupying designated bus-stop areas.
CERTS further appealed to the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) to intensify public education and road safety campaigns targeting both drivers and commuters.
The campaigns, it said, should focus specifically on the dangers associated with roadside boarding and alighting and the need for road users to use designated facilities.
CERTS also called on President John Dramani Mahama to review the performance of government appointees responsible for road safety and traffic management.
The organisation urged the President to ensure that competent officials are retained in positions responsible for protecting lives and improving road safety.
CERTS maintained that while government has a responsibility to construct and maintain safe roads, road users also have a responsibility to obey traffic laws and regulations.
It warned against waiting for another fatal crash before authorities take action.
“We can no longer wait for another fatal accident before we hear speeches and promises. The time to enforce the law and correct these wrongs is now,” the organisation stated.
CERTS reiterated its call for stronger enforcement, proper management of designated bus stops and greater discipline among both commercial drivers and commuters.
By 1960news.com
