There is a growing practice by the DVLA that deserves urgent public attention.

Many vehicle owners only discover alleged traffic offences when they go to renew their roadworthy certificates. At that point, they are informed that fines have already been recorded against their vehicles, sometimes for incidents they have no knowledge of, no recollection of, and were never confronted about at the time they supposedly occurred.

No ticket was issued. No interaction took place. No evidence is shown. Yet payment becomes mandatory before renewal can proceed.

This is not about resisting law enforcement. Road safety rules must be respected. But enforcement must also be fair, transparent, and accountable.

If a new enforcement approach is being used, where officers record offences remotely or without stopping drivers, then the public must first be clearly informed that such a system exists. Citizens cannot be expected to comply with practices they were never told about.

Even more troubling is the question of proof. Ghana does not operate a widespread automated system of speed cameras or digital evidence capture. So on what basis are some of these offences being recorded? How does a motorist verify that an incident actually occurred?

A system that allows penalties to appear months later, without prior notice or verifiable evidence, creates frustration, mistrust, and the perception of unfair revenue collection rather than genuine enforcement.

Public institutions hold authority, but that authority must be exercised transparently.

If enforcement practices are changing, the DVLA must publicly announce them. If offences are recorded, there must be clear and verifiable standards behind them. Citizens should never be ambushed by penalties they cannot confirm or challenge.

Accountability is not only for citizens. It is also for institutions.

We call on the DVLA to review this practice, publicly clarify its enforcement methods, and ensure that road safety enforcement in Ghana is transparent, fair, and deserving of public trust.

Silence allows bad systems to continue. Awareness is the first step toward reform.

Accountability Ghana, giving voice to issues that matter!